Creating a chatbot to support mental health for new mothers
Official title: Development of an empathetic chatbot to monitor perinatal mental health longitudinally
Funded at Poisera, INC. · NIH-11236607 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly mobile app with a chatbot that helps moms check in on their mental health during and after pregnancy, offering support and connecting them to a professional if they need extra help.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Poisera, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | April 10, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $55,000 |
| NIH project number | 3R43MH130293-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11236607 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women or new mothers experiencing symptoms of perinatal mood disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or who do not have children may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a mobile health app that features a chatbot designed to monitor and support the mental health of women during and after pregnancy. The chatbot engages mothers in daily reflections and prompts them to complete validated screenings for perinatal mood disorders (PMDs). If a mother shows signs of PMD, the app connects her to a behavioral health clinician for assessment and treatment coordination. This approach aims to provide real-time support and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved identification and treatment of perinatal mood disorders, enhancing the mental health of mothers and the well-being of their children.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using digital tools for mental health monitoring, indicating that this approach has potential for effectiveness.
Where this research is happening
-
Poisera, INC.
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kerppola, Marianna — Poisera, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kerppola, Marianna
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.