Participatory Theater Tackles Postpartum Mental Health in Tyrol

Pregnancy and childbirth, while joyous occasions, often bring uncertainty, pressure, and worry for expectant and new parents. A project at the Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI) is addressing this challenge through an innovative approach: participatory theater. The initiative aims to foster open conversations and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health during and after pregnancy.

Rising Rates of Perinatal Mental Illness

Approximately one in five mothers and one in ten fathers experience mental health challenges during pregnancy or the first year after childbirth.¹ “It is talked about far too little,” says Philipp Schöch, project coordinator of “Healthy Minds” at the MUI.¹

The ‘Healthy Minds’ Project and Forum Theater

The “Healthy Minds” research group, established in 2004 as an independent university from the medical faculty of the University of Innsbruck,¹ brought together mothers, fathers, and experts to identify ways to improve support for parents in Tyrol. The group settled on forum theater, a participatory drama format, as a means to create a low-threshold, accessible platform for discussion.

Forum theater allows the audience to intervene in scenes, exploring alternative actions and prompting reflection. The “Healthy Minds” team collaborated with director Armin Staffler, who has experience using this format in addiction prevention, to develop a 20-minute play based on the lived experiences of parents and research findings.¹

How the Theater Works

The play begins with a woman discovering she is pregnant, but struggling to cope due to a previous miscarriage.¹ Six to seven amateur actors portray roles including the mother, father, and grandmother. The scenes highlight subtle pressures that expectant parents may not even recognize.

After the initial performance, the audience is invited to participate. “If you desire to resolve a scene differently, you can call ‘Stop’ and then take over the role on stage for a scene,” explains Schöch.¹ “Afterwards, we reflect and discuss together, creating exchange and space for new options for action.” The project leaders report that audiences readily engage, and the amateur nature of the actors helps to lower inhibitions.

Performance Schedule and Access

The play is being performed in various locations throughout Tyrol. Upcoming dates include:

• March 22, 2026, in St. Johann, 7:30 p.m., Old Tannery
• April 8, 2026, in Imst, 7.30 p.m., Imst City Stage
• April 10, 2026, in Kufstein, 7.30 p.m., Bundesrealgymnasium Kufstein
• May 16, 2026, in Schwaz, 3 p.m., Museum of the Peoples
• May 22, 2026, in Innsbruck, 7:00 p.m., Meeting House

Admission to all screenings is free.

Support Resources

Parents experiencing a crisis around childbirth can find support through their attending doctor or via the Village Project, which offers support and resources for families where a parent has a mental illness.² The Village Project utilizes a “SENSE” (Sensitive Screening and Engagement) process to identify families who could benefit from their services.²