Objective To construct a theoretical framework of maternal mental health literacy, so as to provide a reference for improving maternal mental health literacy.Methods The semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted among 32 pregnant and postpartum women from outpatient clinics to collect their mental health literacy related information, and to explore their awareness, understanding, feelings and needs in mental health literacy.Then the interview data were used to extract themes using the grounded theory method.Results Four themes were emerged: knowledge and information (acquisition channels, cognitive enhancement, early identification), support and communication (consultation participation, communication ability, support network), coping and adjustment (stress coping, emotion management, mood shaping), efficacy and resilience (skills improvement, resi-lience enhancement, confidence boosting).Conclusion The theoretical framework provides a scientific method and logical foundation for deepening the knowledge and understanding of maternal mental health literacy, and provides a basis for its future research and practice.