By Sarah Baafi
A psychology trainee at the Dialysis Centre of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Mariam Darko, has raised concern over the growing mental health challenges faced by pregnant women, particularly after childbirth.
Speaking in an interview on GTV’s discussion on bipolar disorder and postpartum depression, she explained that pregnancy and the postpartum period expose women to a wide range of emotional and psychological pressures that are often overlooked in public health discussions.
According to her, many women experience significant mental health struggles after delivery, yet these conditions frequently go undetected or untreated because attention is quickly shifted to the newborn after childbirth rituals and family celebrations.
Mariam Darko noted that postpartum mental health challenges are often ignored, even though many mothers silently struggle with stress, emotional instability and other psychological difficulties during this period.
She emphasised that mental health conditions during and after pregnancy are not always immediately visible, making awareness and early intervention very important. She added that many women do not receive adequate psychological support once they leave the hospital.
The psychology trainee further called for stronger integration of mental health care into maternal health services, stressing that emotional wellbeing should be treated as a key part of pregnancy care.
She also highlighted the need for increased public education, noting that stigma and lack of awareness continue to prevent many women from seeking help.
