Postnatal depression in Zambia is often neglected, leaving many women to struggle through it alone. Although hormonal, physical, emotional and psychological changes after childbirth are common, postnatal depression is a more severe and longer-lasting condition that affects new mothers. It can cause persistent low moods, feelings of anxiety and disconnection from their baby, exhaustion, hopelessness and panic attacks.
Despite affecting a significant number of women, postnatal depression is often undiagnosed and unrecognized in Zambia and other low-income countries. According to a study of 300 women in Zambia, almost half of them had depressive symptoms, while one in five experienced severe postnatal mental distress. In high-income countries, only 5 to 15% of women are diagnosed with postnatal depression.
New mother Jacinta Chanda, who lives in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, experienced postnatal depression after the birth of her son but struggled to recognize it at first. She explained that she was easily agitated and did not like my son that much during that period. She later realized that she might be suffering postnatal depression after doing some research.
Accessing support for postnatal depression in Zambia can be challenging due to the under-resourced health system and stigma around mental health issues. Postnatal clinics can be a first point of call in finding information about and treating postnatal depression, but many women do not receive the support they need.
To treat postnatal depression, psychotherapist Maggie Gitu suggested seeking mental health professionals such as psychologists or counsellors for talk therapy, taking medication like antidepressants or even hormone treatment if laboratory tests show they are out of balance.
Postnatal depression affects the health of both the mother and the child, making it crucial to seek help when experiencing it. Zambian women, like Jacinta Chanda, deserve access to adequate mental health care and support to ensure their emotional wellbeing.
