Iris May

  • WHO ARE WE?

    Iris May / Maio Furta-Cor is a non-profit, democratic, and non-partisan campaign that originated in Brazil in 2020, with the aim of strengthening dialogue, prevention, and awareness around maternal mental health.

    At an international level, the campaign aligns with World Maternal Mental Health Day and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, initiatives supported by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.

    The campaign promotes awareness activities throughout the month of May—a period during which Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries worldwide and which is widely recognized as a key month for maternal mental health awareness.

  • WHY DO WE NEED A MONTH DEDICATED TO MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH?

    A dedicated month focused on maternal mental health is essential, as strong social stigma still surrounds mental health—often intensified within the context of motherhood.

    At the same time, there is an alarming rise in depression, anxiety, and, tragically, suicide among mothers, while the underlying factors contributing to women’s psychological distress amid the growing demands of motherhood remain insufficiently addressed.

    Perinatal mental disorders are a significant public health concern and require urgent and effective responses, as untreated conditions can have devastating consequences for women and their families.

  • WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CAMPAIGN?

    To raise awareness about maternal mental health;

    To promote awareness initiatives grounded in scientific evidence;

    To encourage the development of public health policies, including legislative proposals that establish Iris May / Maio Furta-Cor as a strategic framework for supporting women and mothers in diverse ways, in collaboration with existing initiatives and services.

    The campaign aims to deliver free awareness and engagement activities throughout the month of May and beyond—a period widely recognized as an international month for maternal awareness, during which Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries.

  • WHY IRIS MAY / MAIO FURTA-COR?

    The campaign’s name and central concept—Furta-Cor / Iridescent / Iris—represent a colour that shifts according to the light it receives, without a fixed or absolute hue. In the context of motherhood, this symbolism reflects the diversity and complexity of maternal experiences, where all “colours” and emotional states coexist and are equally valid.

    May is the month in which Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries. In alignment with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is also observed globally during this time. As such, May becomes a particularly meaningful and opportune moment to raise awareness and foster dialogue around maternal mental health.

    In Ireland, the campaign name has also been adapted into English to reflect and engage with the local and international community.

  • WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED?

    We are a network of more than 350 women (representatives) across Brazil and in over 15 countries, working across diverse fronts to promote maternal mental health.

    The campaign has been active since 2020 and was officially launched in Ireland in 2023. Since its inception, we have provided information, raised awareness, and supported the Brazilian community in Ireland—particularly mothers and their support networks. In Ireland, the campaign is led by Tree of Life Clinic in Dublin as its international representative.

    Following its official launch, the campaign expanded its reach to organizations, professionals, media outlets, and communities through psychoeducational materials and training initiatives, including the Irish community, the wider English-speaking international population living in Ireland, as well as the Brazilian Embassy in Dublin.

  • HOW TO SUPPORT?

    We seek partnerships to support and deliver initiatives throughout the month of May (and beyond)—a period during which Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries and which also includes Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, observed globally in collaboration with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.

    People, institutions, companies, organizations, and government body can participate and support the campaign!
    How? Promoting lectures, conversation circles, walks, making actions materially and financially viable, sharing content on social networks, research, articles, material for distribution, projects, engaging in free actions etc.

    The idea is to spread awareness about the cause of maternal mental health with quality information and work together to establish public policy om perinatal and maternal metal health in Ireland.
    This cause is Everyone’s business!!


    All partnerships and collaborative efforts are warmly welcomed.
    Contact Us: info@tolclinic.com

Follow us on Instagram