Maternal Depression (Mother’s Day)
Mental Health according to World Health Organization (WHO) is the a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. In Canada, May 1-7 is Mental Health Week where Canadians reflect on the advances in mental health, spread awareness about mental illness and share stories of recovery. Also, since May is Mother’s day, this blog will explore some of the struggles mothers deal with when it comes to mental health issues. It is important in recognizing the needs and struggles mothers have.
According to WHO, worldwide about 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women who have just given birth experience a mental disorder, predominantly depression. Depression causes enormous suffering, disability, and reduced response to child’s need. Evidence indicates that treating the depression of mothers leads to improved growth and development of the newborn and reduces the likelihood of diarrhoea and malnutrition among them.
It is only right that May is also declared as National Maternal Depression Awareness Month. Marital depression is becoming more well-known, and it affects 10 to 20 percent of new mothers, according to the fact sheet. Some of the symptom of marital depression includes feeling inadequate or guilty, feeling sad constantly, feeling suicidal, not attaching or bonding to the baby, overly worrying about the baby or not being interested at all in the baby.
Maternal depression is the most common complication of childbirth, putting Canadian families at risk each and every year. Maternal depression is a highly treatable condition, especially when identified early during the pregnancy or postpartum period.
Most research suggests psycho-therapeutic interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), social support, interpersonal therapy, non-directive counselling, and psychoanalytic therapy to be the most effective way of treating maternal depression.