Up to 47% of SA’s women face pre- and post-natal depression and anxiety, with about 10% at high risk of suicide
an analysis of the maternal mental health landscape in low- and middle-income countries. The study outlined the social determinants of poor mental health in pregnancy and after childbirth. These include poverty, gender inequality and various forms of violence.Maternal mental health conditions are a reflection of harmful social and economic factors that affect women.
This public health crisis needs a response from the whole of society. With a group of international colleagues, we penned aTo improve maternal mental health we recommend:Integrating maternal mental health services into existing health system platforms;Addressing social and economic risk factors to be part of any intervention; andThese recommendations are based on work we have done in maternal mental health in low- and middle-income countries, including SA. The country still has a long way to go.
Women with perinatal mental health issues may face stigma. On the other hand, women are more vulnerable to experiencing poorer maternal mental health outcomes when they face poverty, various forms of persecution or humanitarian crises. Multiple studies from low- and middle-income countries have found rates of perinatal mental illness up to three times greater among pregnant adolescents than among older women.In SA many women are exposed to these risk factors. The prevalence of depression and anxiety during pregnancy and in the year after birth ranges from