IN January this year, a video surfaced online showing a woman being arrested for allegedly killing her newborn. Although the exact cause had not been confirmed, many social media users speculated that she might have been suffering from postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis.
While motherhood is often celebrated with joy, it can also come with serious mental health challenges. Postpartum Depression (PPD) and Postpartum Psychosis (PPP) are conditions that, if unaddressed, can profoundly impact mothers, infants, and the wider community.
According to Mayo Clinic, PPD is a mood disorder that affects women after childbirth and sometimes their partners. It’s marked by extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that may interfere with daily life. PPP, though rare, is more severe, involving hallucinations, delusions, and cognitive disturbances.
Maternal mental health in Nigeria is a critical but often overlooked issue, affecting both mothers and their children. While many new mothers experience “baby blues”—mild, temporary mood changes after childbirth—a significant number face more severe conditions such as postpartum… pic.twitter.com/hZBG82cWwL
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A systematic review published on National Institute of Health reported that postpartum psychosis incidence ranges between 1 and 2 per 1,000 births, with one study noting a prevalence of 5 per 1,000 births.
Findings indicates that 57 per cent of women with a history of postpartum affective psychosis had no prior psychiatric history. For mothers who have had PPP and choose to have more children, over half are at risk of experiencing another perinatal mood episode.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Speaking on mental state examination, Zuliah Abdulazeez, a medical officer at the University of Ilorin College of Health Sciences, said, “The Edinburgh Depression Scale is used to assess women and monitor response to treatment. Treatment involves the use of antidepressants such as fluoxetine, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and supportive care.”
Sa’adatu Adamu, a mental health counsellor and founder of Secure-D-Future International Initiative (SDF), identified early warning signs as persistent low mood, overwhelming anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and loss of interest in activities.
“From my experience counselling women, postpartum depression (PPD) does not happen overnight, there are early warning signs that can be recognised such as persistent low mood. Many mothers report feeling persistently sad or emotionally numb beyond the normal baby blues,” she explained.
She added, “Extreme worry about the baby’s health or irrational fears about being a bad mother. Also worries about the new body shape or size and societal expectations are not exempted.”
Adamu also noted that mothers might feel disconnected from their babies, suffer frequent mood swings, or struggle to sleep. “Statements like; ‘I am failing as a mother’ or ‘My baby would be better off without me’ are red flags.
“In severe cases, some mothers experience suicidal thoughts or intrusive thoughts about harming their baby. Recently on social media I read about a woman who threw away her child through the window but with the help of her neighbours the baby was rescued and she was immediately removed from that space to also receive treatments.”
Barriers to treatment
Stigma, poor healthcare infrastructure, financial hardship, and cultural misconceptions make it difficult to address maternal mental health in Nigeria. Many women suffer in silence, afraid of being seen as weak or “possessed.” Misconceptions often lead to isolation rather than support.
Even when services are available, the cost of therapy and medication is high. Few hospitals are equipped for maternal mental health, and a widespread lack of awareness causes delays in diagnosis. Many families mistake PPD or PPP symptoms for normal exhaustion.
Traditional beliefs further complicate the issue. Women with postpartum mental health challenges are sometimes taken to prayer centres instead of medical facilities, delaying critical care. Adamu emphasised community-based approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
“Training midwives and traditional birth attendants to recognise and refer cases early is essential, given their role in childbirth. Additionally, community health workers… can be equipped to detect PPD symptoms and provide basic mental health support.
“Providing safe spaces through psycho-education, counselling, and peer support groups helps struggling mothers express their emotions and find validation. Effective treatments like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) can be delivered by trained non-specialists,” she said.
Despite mental health policies in Nigeria, implementation remains weak. There are few government-backed postpartum mental health initiatives. The National Mental Health Act, enacted in January 2023, mandates mental health integration into maternal and reproductive health programmes, yet little progress has followed.
Lack of support from families and societal pressure on new mothers to resume daily activities immediately after childbirth compounds the issue. Many women don’t receive the care they need, leading to feelings of isolation and despair.
Local research on PPD and PPP is also limited, making it difficult to create effective, data-driven policies. Solutions must include public awareness, better healthcare access, and stronger policy enforcement.
“The family and society play a critical role in providing supportive care, both to the mother and newborn. Care to previous suicide and newborn harm is important,” Abdulazeez said.
Adamu stressed that early intervention through family support and community awareness could prevent PPD from escalating into PPP.
“Husbands and family members should recognise that PPD is a medical condition, not a sign of weakness, so they should be part of the client’s journey. Many mothers experience burnout because they lack help with the baby. Shared caregiving responsibilities reduce stress.
“Religious and traditional leaders – Churches, Mosques, and traditional institutions – should normalise mental health discussions and refer affected mothers to professional help. In fact I will suggest that clergy should also undertake the professional counselling and mental health courses to aid their respective jobs,” she emphasised.
Interventions and shifting the narrative
Despite the barriers, some programmes are making a difference or at least attempted too. The Abiye (Safe Motherhood) Programme in Ondo State, launched in 2009, provides free healthcare for pregnant women and young children, and has received global recognition. The Aisha Buhari Foundation’s Future Assured initiative also targets maternal health, and the Women’s Health and Equal Rights Initiative (WHER) works to promote mental wellness through training and advocacy.
To break the silence on PPD and PPP, a multifaceted approach is needed antenatal education, public awareness campaigns, training for healthcare workers, and effective policies. Sharing stories from recovered mothers can normalise these discussions, and involving husbands fosters a supportive environment.
By challenging stigma, enforcing mental health laws, and providing care early, Nigeria can ensure better outcomes for mothers and their families.
Fatimah Quadri is a Journalist and a Fact-checker at The ICIR. She has written news articles, fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy in an effort to combat information disorder.
She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org