11 Reproductive Health Facts from India and Beyond That Need More Awareness

8. Postpartum mental health is overlooked and under-resourced

New mothers often face emotional and mental-health challenges that go unrecognized in many communities. Postpartum depression and anxiety affect maternal well-being, infant care, and family dynamics, yet routine screening during antenatal and postnatal visits is not standard everywhere. Cultural expectations that a mother should be instantly joyful can add stigma, discouraging women from admitting distress. Community health workers, including ASHAs, can play a key role by spotting warning signs and offering referrals or basic psychosocial support. Low-cost group programs, peer-support circles, and training for primary-care providers on screening and brief interventions can make a difference. Mental-health services must be integrated into maternal care rather than treated as an optional add-on. Practical steps include adding short screening questions to routine visits, providing safe referral pathways, and ensuring community education that frames mental health as a common, treatable aspect of postpartum recovery.