This briefly reviews the literature on common perinatal mental disorders (CPMD) and describes the activities of the Perinatal Mental Health Project (PMHP) based at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa. It summarizes the key lessons learnt over the 10 years regarding the integration of maternal mental health care within primary care settings. The aim of the PMHP training program is to prepare the service delivery environment to integrate maternal mental health care into routine practice. The PMHP's advocacy and communication program focuses on raising awareness among health officials, policy makers, and the public concerning the prevalence and impact of CPMDs, and on maternal mental health as a cross-cutting solution to several key health and development priorities. Maternal mental health interventions require screening, which is undertaken by maternity staff during routine antenatal care. Institutional stigma is, however, a major challenge to providing mental health services in the public sector.