Migrants have higher levels of depression and anxiety than non-migrants. Pregnant migrant women are especially vulnerable to emotional distress due to their social circumstances, isolation from family and culture of origin, and aspects of the pregnancy itself. This study aims to report the process of planning an emotional-health group program for migrant women in an antenatal clinic and discusses potential reasons for its poor uptake. The program was developed with the aim to provide education, reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress, and to improve the social resources and connectedness of the women. The paper describes the pathways taken in developing the program, including a literature review and needs assessment and collaborative planning discussions across different key health services, recruitment, and review. Possible reasons for failure to implement the program included staff factors, cultural barriers, mistrust of healthcare services, family opposition, and difficulties with transport. Strategies to address these practical implementation issues and improve the acceptability of such programs in this population are discussed. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.

group program Maternal Barriers health, Bengali

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