{"id":996006,"date":"2026-08-12T11:54:26","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T11:54:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/996006\/"},"modified":"2026-08-12T11:54:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T11:54:26","slug":"1-in-5-new-mothers-face-postpartum-depression-says-sudha-murty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/996006\/","title":{"rendered":"1 in 5 new mothers face postpartum depression, says Sudha Murty"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Delhi:\u00a0<\/strong>Underlining the need for a national policy and screening framework for maternal mental healthcare, Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty Tuesday flagged the issue as an \u201cessential\u201d one that requires the Central government\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

Raising the issue through a special mention in the Rajya Sabha, Murty, a philanthropist and chairperson of the Murty Trust, said, \u201cI would like to bring to the attention of the government an essential yet frequently overlooked dimension of healthcare, that is maternal mental healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n

Studies show that every one in five new mothers in India experience postpartum depression (PPD), a serious medical condition characterised by feelings of intense sadness, anxiety, and fatigue after childbirth, Murty said.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tShow Full Article<\/p>\n

Despite being very common, mental health issues of women after childbirth are rarely discussed, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost women suffer in silence which can lead to severe emotional distress, difficulty in bonding with the newborn baby, chronic physical exhaustion, and long term delay in the child\u2019s cognitive growth,\u201d the MP pointed out in the Upper House.<\/p>\n

Acknowledging that the existing healthcare system has done \u201cwonderful work\u201d when it comes to reducing the maternal mortality rate, Murty flagged the need for equal attention to be given to postpartum depression.<\/p>\n

According to UNICEF, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is defined as the number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 1,00,000 live births. It depicts the risk of maternal death relative to the number of live births and essentially captures the risk of death in a single pregnancy or a single live birth.<\/p>\n

Murty cited the example of Karnataka, saying that a \u201csimple yet successful\u201d model already exists there.<\/p>\n

\u201cMental health checks are part of the Thayi Card Scheme. Frontline Accredited Social Health Activist or ASHA workers are trained to use a short questionnaire designed by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Science (NIMHANS) to screen for early signs of depression during home visits,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Upon identifying a mother who needs help, she is immediately referred to the medical officers at the local primary health centre, or connected to telecounselling or support, Murty pointed out while referring to the Karnataka model.<\/p>\n

\u201cI humbly request the government to create a national policy on maternal mental health which should expand Karnataka\u2019s questionnaire,\u201d Murty said while adding that the Karnataka model should be applied across the country, through the Mother & Child Protection Card, which refers to a health-tracking and counseling document issued by the government.<\/p>\n

ASHA workers can also be trained to recognise early warning signs, Murty said. \u201cThis will ensure that every new mother receives timely care, support and empathy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

(Edited by Viny Mishra)<\/p>\n

Also read:<\/strong> Indian mothers\u2019 care, sacrifices are glorified. TUS data reveals their invisible labour<\/a><\/p>\n

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