By Gbenga Dada/Oluwafunke Ishola

A mental health advocate, Mrs Chioma Ezeakonobi, has advised new mothers to break the silence surrounding postpartum depression, saying this will enable them to receive support during their healing journey.

Ezeakonobi spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos, while sharing her personal struggle with postpartum depression, a mental health condition that affects many women worldwide.

According to her, the condition is an underdiagnosed and underrated illness in many countries in spite of the danger it portends for ill health and death.

“The cycle of silence attached to postpartum depression leaves many women to suffer in silence,” she said.

Narrating her experience, Ezeakonobi disclosed that it began after the birth of her second child, saying she experienced anxiety, tearfulness, fatigue, and persistent sadness.

In spite of her struggles, Ezeakonobi said she found solace in gaining knowledge about the condition and managing it on her own.

“With the support of my family, particularly my husband, I was able to cope with the condition.”

Her experience inspired her to create awareness about postpartum depression, and wrote a book titled “Navigating Postpartum Depression”.

The book is a compilation of her experience and those of other mothers, who have gone through similar struggles.

Ezeakonobi aims to use her platform to advocate and break the silence surrounding postpartum depression and support women worldwide.

She urged pregnant women and new mothers to be aware of the symptoms of the condition and seek care and support when needed.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), postpartum depression is a common and treatable mental health condition affecting women after childbirth.

It can negatively impact both the mother’s well-being and the child’s development.

Postpartum depression involves emotional highs and lows, frequent crying, fatigue, guilt and anxiety, affecting about one in seven new moms.

In Nigeria, its prevalence rates range from 10 per cent to 36.5 per cent.

WHO emphasises the importance of screening and early intervention for postpartum depression, along with providing effective treatments and support services for affected mothers. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Folasade Adeniran