POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: A Hidden Crisis Affecting Nigerian Mothers

By Olufunmilayo Ojo, PhD

“When Tola welcomed her daughter in Ibadan, friends and family celebrated the new arrival. But behind her polite smiles, she felt an overwhelming sadness she could not explain. Instead of the joy everyone expected, she struggled with constant fatigue, frequent tears, and a growing sense of guilt.
As the weeks passed, Tola withdrew from visitors and found it increasingly difficult to care for her baby. Her husband, Akin, noticed the dramatic change and encouraged her to seek medical help. A doctor later confirmed she was experiencing postpartum depression, a condition many new mothers face but often hide.
With counselling, support from her family, and gradual treatment, Tola began to recover. She now speaks openly about her experience and works with a local mothers’ support group, determined to help other women recognise the signs and seek help early.
“No mother should suffer in silence,” she says.”

Postpartum depression (PPD), a mental health condition that occurs after childbirth, is emerging as a major but often overlooked public health challenge among Nigerian women.

Although childbirth is widely celebrated as a joyful experience, many new mothers silently battle anxiety, mood swings and overwhelming fatigue that may develop into severe depression if left untreated.

Studies conducted across Nigeria reveal that between 10 and 44 percent of Nigerian women experience symptoms of postpartum depression, depending on geographic location, socioeconomic conditions and access to healthcare.

The figure, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is higher than the global average of 13 percent, placing Nigeria among countries with some of the highest maternal mental health burdens in sub-Saharan Africa.

A range of factors contribute to the high incidence of PPD in Nigeria. Poverty, limited social support, domestic violence, and hormonal changes following childbirth are repeatedly identified as major triggers.

A Psychiatrist Consultant at Osun State Hospital, Asubiaro, Dr. Folasade Dare, explained that social expectations often intensify the emotional struggles of affected women.

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“Many women suffer in silence because they fear being judged as weak or ungrateful,” she noted. “The stigma surrounding mental illness discourages them from seeking help.”
Dr. Dare explained that cultural pressures, financial hardship and complications during pregnancy or delivery further increase vulnerability to PPD.

In rural communities where maternal health services are limited or underfunded, opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment are scarce.

The consequences of untreated postpartum depression extend beyond the mother. Research shows that maternal depression can lead to inadequate infant care, reduced breastfeeding, and developmental delays in children.

In severe cases, women may experience suicidal thoughts or feelings of detachment from their babies, underscoring the urgent need for timely medical intervention.

Dr. Callistus Akinleye, a Public Health expert at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, describes the crisis as “a silent epidemic with intergenerational consequences”.

“When a mother is mentally unwell, the entire family system suffers,” he said. “Maternal mental health should be considered a core component of public health, not an afterthought.”

However, Nigeria’s healthcare system currently lacks a sufficient workforce to respond to the growing mental health needs of mothers.

Nigeria’s health system currently lacks adequate mental health professionals to handle the growing need. The country has fewer than 300 psychiatrists serving a population of over 200 million,

Fewer than 300 psychiatrists serve a population exceeding 200 million, with most specialists concentrated in urban areas. This shortage has prompted experts to recommend task-shifting, training nurses, midwives and community health workers to identify symptoms of postpartum depression using simple screening tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.

Health experts emphasised that early detection could prevent progression to more severe illness with a combination of medical, psychological and social approaches to tackle the issue effectively. Routine mental health assessments should be incorporated into antenatal and postnatal care.

Community awareness campaigns can help families recognise early symptoms and reduce stigma. Mother-to-mother support groups and counselling programmes at the primary healthcare level provide valuable emotional support, while policymakers are encouraged to integrate maternal mental health indicators into national health planning and budgets.

Equipping frontline health workers with adequate training and supervision is also essential for effective management and referral.

Promising progress has been recorded in pilot programmes in Lagos, Osun and Kaduna States, where community-based interventions such as home visits and group counselling have helped many mothers reduce depressive symptoms and strengthen family relationships.

Experts also highlight the potential of digital mental health services, including text-based counselling and mobile applications, to reach women in remote areas.

“We must remember that postpartum depression is treatable,” Dr. Dare stressed. “With proper support, therapy and, when necessary, medication, affected women can make a full recovery and build healthy relationships with their babies.”

As Nigeria intensifies efforts to reduce maternal mortality, stakeholders insist that mental health can no longer be neglected.

Addressing postpartum depression through awareness, early detection and compassionate care will not only safeguard thousands of mothers from long-term suffering but also ensure that every child is given the best possible start in life with a healthy, emotionally stable mother.

Olufunmilayo Adebomi Ojo is a Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication
A practicing Broadcast Journalist, Lecturer and Member of ACSPN, NIPR, NUJ and NAWOJ