As we approachWorld Mental Health Day, which is celebrated every October 10 to raise awareness of mental health issues and drive informed dialogue without stigma, it is essential to address a statistic that deserves our attention and action, but often goes unnoticed.
Did you know that many women experience depression during pregnancy without being aware of it? Pregnant women are a population prone to depression, a disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness; according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), it is the most common mental disorder in the world’s population, occurring twice as often in women as in men.
It is important to note that some symptoms of depression are similar to those experienced during pregnancy, such as profound changes in mood or lack of energy. As a result, it is common for women to attribute these symptoms to their gestational state rather than recognizing the possibility of depression. In some cases, there may even be disbelief or denial regarding the presence of depression.
In this context, within the framework of the project “Capacity building for the delivery and implementation of mental health care (e-learning)” (GCC-Peru), through our Mental Health Program (SAME) we were able to address this issue and improve the mental health of pregnant women in North Lima.
The research, approved and published by the scientific journal Global Mental Health of the University of Cambridge, revealed that, out of a total of 127 screened pregnant women, 28 % had symptoms of depression, which were visible in signs such as:
- Loss of interest in their daily activities
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Feelings of failure with themselves and their family
- In some cases, suicidal ideation
30 pregnant women from Lima Norte identified with symptoms of depression successfully completed the 16 support sessions provided by SES.
Socios En Salud, committed to maternal mental health
It is essential that pregnant women receive not only adequate medical care, but also comprehensive emotional and psychological support. Early diagnosis can contribute significantly to reducing the risks associated with depression during pregnancy. For this reason, we implemented a series of measures that included 16 accompaniment sessions, conducted through video calls and phone calls.
These sessions were divided into five modules designed to address three key areas: the mother’s personal health, the mother’s relationship with the baby, and the mother and baby’s relationship with the people around them. In addition, each module reinforced participants’ skills in identifying unhealthy thoughts, replacing unhealthy thoughts with healthy thoughts, and practicing healthy thoughts and actions.
It is important to note that, during the sessions, various challenges faced by the participants were identified, most of which were the result of social determinants: economic difficulties, health problems, and unemployment. In addition, they also faced emotional breakups, high levels of stress, lack of a father figure, and lack of family and social support.
These factors aggravate depressive conditions, which not only end up affecting the mother, but could also have adverse effects on the health and development of the fetus. Therefore, it is crucial that people close to pregnant women are attentive to the factors and symptoms of depression to accompany them and seek help from a mental health professional at the nearest health center.
The mothers who participated in this intervention indicated that it has allowed them to adopt a positive outlook on their future, and that they have significantly improved their relationships with both their children and their social environment.
“I know that, with this support, many mothers and those who may need it will be happy. Thanks to this help I am a new person, I could say that my life has changed completely. I am here with my beautiful daughter (Cielo), with whom I had a complicated pregnancy, and seeing her grow day by day fills me with joy and excitement,” shares Yanina Arevalo, one of the beneficiaries.
From Socios En Salud we are committed to continue watching over maternal mental health and promoting healthy lifestyles to minimize the risk factors that affect people’s emotional, psychological and social wellbeing.