ABSTRACT:
Mental health challenges, harmful gender norms and limited spousal communication continue to undermine family planning uptake and overall wellbeing in many low-resource settings. In Uganda, fear of partner opposition, stigma and trauma linked to intimate partner conflict significantly affect reproductive health decision making and mental wellbeing. This paper presents a community based Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) intervention that integrated mental health promotion and family planning messaging to strengthen spousal communication and supportive decision-making. Implemented through Village Health Teams and community leaders, the intervention employed couple focused dialogues, peer learning sessions, survivor centered messaging and referral linkages to health and psychosocial services. SBCC strategies emphasized shared responsibility, empathy and the mental health benefits of planned parenthood. Qualitative and routine program data were used to assess changes in attitudes, communication patterns and service uptake. Findings indicate improved spousal dialogue on family planning, increased male engagement, reduced stigma around mental health support and higher acceptance of modern family planning methods. Participants reported enhanced emotional support within relationships and improved confidence in seeking both reproductive health and psychosocial services. The integration of mental health narratives into family planning communication contributed to greater trust in health services and reduced fear of conflict or violence related to contraceptive use. This experience demonstrates that SBCC interventions addressing relational dynamics and mental wellbeing can strengthen family planning outcomes while promoting holistic public health goals. The approach offers a scalable model for advancing equity, gender inclusion, and mental health integration within reproductive health programs in similar low- and middle-income contexts.