Health Experts Urge Integration of Perinatal Mental Health in India

On September 22, 2023, health experts in New Delhi called for the urgent integration of perinatal maternal mental health into national healthcare programmes. Their focus is on combating conditions such as postpartum depression and anxiety that affect new mothers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 10 percent of pregnant women and 13 percent of women who have recently given birth experience mental disorders, primarily depression.

India, with over 25 million births each year, faces a significant challenge in addressing these mental health issues. Many women experiencing mental health problems during the perinatal period, which spans from pregnancy to one year after giving birth, remain undetected and untreated, particularly in rural areas. A recent systematic review indicated that the prevalence of perinatal depression in India ranges from 14 to 24 percent in community-based studies, with some meta-analyses estimating a pooled rate of around 22 percent for postpartum depression.

Rising Concerns Over Maternal Mortality

While maternal mortality rates in India have improved significantly—dropping over 50 percent since the early 2000s to 97 deaths per 100,000—the proportion of deaths attributed to maternal suicide is rising. A report from Kerala revealed that maternal suicide accounted for nearly one in five maternal deaths in 2020. This alarming trend underscores the need for focused mental health support for new mothers.

Prof. Rajesh Sagar from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) emphasized the absence of dedicated initiatives to assist mothers facing mental health challenges during a consultation on perinatal mental health. He noted that while women’s mental health is acknowledged in policies like the National Mental Health Policy 2014 and the Mental Health Care Act 2017, there is no specific programme or screening mechanism established.

Addressing Gaps in Training and Support

Experts, including Prof. Prabha Chandra from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), highlighted significant training gaps for healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and community health workers known as ASHAs. They also pointed out the need for culturally relevant tools and the stigma that prevents women from seeking psychological help despite screening positive.

To effectively tackle the issue, experts advocated for state-specific strategies and enhanced collaboration across states. They stressed the importance of capacity building and mandatory history-taking during antenatal care. Dr. Y.K. Sandhya, Program Lead for Mental Health at The George Institute for Global Health India, insisted that perinatal mental health should not be treated as a standalone issue. Instead, it should be integrated into routine antenatal and postnatal care, promoting sustainability and reducing stigma.

The call to action from these health professionals serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive support systems for new mothers in India. By prioritizing perinatal mental health, the nation can better address the mental health crises that affect countless women during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.