A recent study by ‘4children’ has shown that approximately 35,000 mothers are faced with postnatal depression (PND), without being diagnosed or treated. Also, 70 percent of mothers who go to a healthcare professional are prescribed antidepressants, while only 41 percent were given access to therapies. NICE, an organization that recommends extended research into the efficacy of peer-to-peer support for PND, states that isolation is a risk factor for PND. Mothers need to share their experiences with each other during all aspects of pregnancy and afterwards. With pregnancy comes many emotional feelings. Without proper support those feelings may turn into anxiety or depression. Mothers, new and old are vulnerable to PND. Th e Royal College of Psychiatrists say that is is between 10-15 percent of new mothers experiencing PND and around 10 percent of men. Mothers who have already had a child can distinguish the postnatal depression from “normal” post-birth. These woman are more likely to seek treatment when they feel the symptoms. However, some are unwilling to go through the harsh effects again, and are unwilling to say they are depressed. Also, women fear that their children may be taken away from them if they seek treatment.
Bridget O’Connell from MIND on this issue says, “women need to be reassured that services are there to support them.” I am not a mother myself, however I know many people who have dealt with PND. It is an overwhelming feeling of new responsibility when a baby is born. Unfortunately, babies do not come with a perfect roadmap on how to care for them. I believe hospitals should have a counselor come in after every baby is born and ask the mother how she is feeling. I do not think that drugs are the answer every time. I know that 35,000 mothers go through this and it is probably especially expensive to provide them with counseling, however I believe it is absolutely necessary for the benefit of the mother and child in today’s society. Life is hard enough and when a woman bring a future leader into the world, I believe she should get everything she needs. Depression occurs globally, all races and ethnicities and cultures experience the effects of PND. There are many factors that cause PND and women need to feel comfort, care and loved during this time. They need someone to talk to and listen to their symptoms.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/03/mothers-postnatal-depression
1 comment:
The health of women and their children is definitely a global issue, and when you get statistics like the one in this article, its pretty alarming how much the problem is pushed under the rug. Another thing is that we have access to healthcare professionals in the US, as well as other developed nations, but what about countries in Africa and Asia. They have little to no access to healthcare and unwanted pregnancy and unprotected sex are one of their most serious issues. Things like this need to be acknowledge globally.
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