“Let’s Talk, Mom” Opens Applications for 2026

It has been proven that the foundations of human development are laid during the first years of life: nearly 80% of brain structures and functions are formed during this stage, and more than one million neural connections are created every second during the first 1,000 days. However, in an environment of information overload—such as social media—some mothers are unsure how to support their children through this process, making it essential to have reliable sources and professional support.

In this context, the Luksic Foundation launched the 2026 national call for entries for “Let’s Talk, Mom”, a free, online program that supports pregnant women and mothers of newborns through group support via WhatsApp, practical content, and opportunities to connect with other moms, providing strategies to promote their children’s development.

“There are no manuals for being a mom, and when you embark on that journey without support networks or reliable information, it becomes more difficult to foster your children’s development. This reality can have a direct impact—in the medium and long term—on their social and learning abilities, and it primarily affects those who grow up in vulnerable circumstances,” explained María Fernanda Orellana, manager of the Luksic Foundation.

Those interested should fill out the application available at fundacionluksic.cl by Monday, May 18. The call for applications is open to women registered with a CESFAM who, by June 2026, will be between 12 and 25 weeks pregnant or have newborns up to three months old. The complete guidelines can be viewed at the following link.

The evidence supports the urgency of these initiatives. One in 15 women suffers from postpartum depression in the year following childbirth, according to a systematic review published in the journal *The Lancet Psychiatry*. The analysis also noted that “it is a disorder that goes beyond postpartum sadness and causes profound grief, loss of interest, difficulties coping with daily life, and extreme fatigue, among other symptoms.” In the case of Chile,between 13.9% and 20.9% of women in the perinatal period exhibit severe symptoms of depression.

In this context, Fernanda Orellana emphasizes the importance of strengthening support networks for mothers, which is the central focus of the initiative. Once the program ends and the facilitator—a specialist in motherhood, parenting, and child neurodevelopment—steps back, the network remains. Mothers can stay in touch, discussing their challenges, and in this way, a community is built that continues to provide support beyond the program itself.