When last did you ask a friend, family member or colleague who has had a baby in the last 12 months how they are really feeling? When you look at the global maternal mental health statistics, you’ll see that it’s an important question to ask.

But it doesn’t end there. Most mothers will simply answer “fine”, and shift the attention elsewhere, because of the stigma attached to maternal mental health.

Global Maternal Mental Health Day is observed on the first Wednesday in May – this year on 4 May. The theme for 2022 is “Stronger Together”, placing the spotlight on support, understanding and professional care for mothers experiencing depression and deteriorating mental health.

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMD) is very real

As many as 1 in 5 new mothers worldwide experience some form of PMD. This includes (but is not limited to) postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder, postpartum bipolar and postpartum psychosis. The statistic differs from country to country, but the reality remains unchanged. These conditions often go unnoticed, undiagnosed and untreated, which can have devastating long-term effects on mothers, fathers and children.

Women often hide their symptoms

It’s estimated that 7 in 10 women hide or downplay their symptoms to avoid the stigma that comes with weakening maternal mental health. Sadly, the importance of trying to be a perfect mom often overshadows the need for being mentally and emotionally healthy.

Dads often get depressed
Not many people realise that around 1 in 10 dads develop depression in cases where the mom has perinatal mood disorder. Sometimes it takes a holistic mental health approach for the whole family to get back to a healthy state of mind.

Miscarriages and stillbirths take their toll
As many as 20% to 25% of pregnant women experience the devastation of a miscarriage or stillbirth. The grief experienced by these women – and their families – can have lasting effects.

Play your part
What can you do to alleviate these debilitating conditions and the stigma attached to them?

  1. Speak about maternal health: normalise it for all those moms who are too afraid to reach out.
  2. Tell your story: let others know what you went through, so they can be inspired to get help and support, without feeling alone.
  3. Take to Twitter to get involved in the conversation: use the hashtag #MaternalMentalHealth- Month.
  4. Spread awareness: use the #MaternalMHmatters hashtag with all your social media posts.

Written by LifeAssist