Healthy Beginnings Start With Her: Why Maternal Mental Health Matters & How Families Can Help

World Health Day 2025: Nurturing a mother’s mind is just as important as nurturing her womb — because the future of every child starts with the well-being of their mother.

Hormonal shifts, physical discomfort, and a cascade of emotional ups and downs make pregnancy and the postpartum period uniquely challenging.

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This year’s World Health Day theme — ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’ — seeks to shift global attention towards the foundational stages of life and health. Nowhere is this more vital than in the journey of motherhood. In India, maternal mental health often remains a silent struggle, buried beneath social expectations, lack of awareness, and inadequate emotional support.

A new mother is overwhelmed with a sudden change in her lifestyle, her body, her priorities, and her energy levels — and then there are the expectations of society and family, about what she must do, when, how, and why.

While many women seek to be equal contributors to wealth, prosperity, and happiness of the family, they often find themselves unfairly burdened and in deep distress when they are left to fend for themselves either during the pregnancy and/or when the baby arrives.
Nurturing a mother’s mind is just as important as nurturing her womb — because the future of every child starts with the well-being of their first home: their mother.

Caring For Her Mind: Why Maternal Mental Health Deserves To Be Priorities

When a woman becomes pregnant or gives birth, the world showers love on the baby — but often forgets the woman in the process. Dr Sreystha Beppari, psychologist at Apollo Clinic, said it’s time we shifted the spotlight to maternal mental health — not just during pregnancy, but long after childbirth too.

The Unseen Struggles Of Pregnancy And Postpartum Phase

Hormonal shifts, physical discomfort, and a cascade of emotional ups and downs make pregnancy and the postpartum period uniquely challenging. For many women, pre-existing issues like anxiety, childhood trauma, or family stress can intensify during this time. Medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, anaemia, or diabetes can also take a toll — not just on the body, but on the mind.

Dr Beppari said many women silently grappled with fears surrounding delivery, body image, and medical complications. The pressure to meet expectations — both at home and in society — can lead to feelings of guilt or inadequacy. “Add to that the weight of financial concerns, lack of sleep, and fears about parenting — and you have a perfect storm for mental health challenges,” she added.

Not Just Her Job: Sharing The Load

Cultural and familial expectations often place the bulk of childcare and household responsibility squarely on the mother’s shoulders. This unrealistic burden can affect her recovery and emotional stability.

One of the biggest ways families can help? By stepping up and sharing the load. “It’s crucial that spouses and families understand that the new mother needs rest, not rigid roles,” Dr Beppari said. Acknowledging her feelings, validating her emotions, and creating an environment where she can speak freely without judgement makes a world of difference.

Workplace Matters: When Professional Stress Adds Pressure

For working mothers, the pressure doesn’t stop at home. Concerns about maternity benefits, job security, and returning to a demanding workplace can worsen mental health challenges. Dr Beppari emphasised the importance of greater organisational support for working mothers — through flexible leave, mental health access, and empathetic workplace policies.

The Dos And Don’ts Every Family Should Know

Dr Beppari outlined simple but powerful steps for families to support the emotional well-being of expectant and new mothers:

Dos:

• Ensure she gets nutritious food, ample sleep, and emotional space
• Address mood swings and signs of postpartum depression early
• Help share the childcare load — parenting is a team effort
• Acknowledge her fears and concerns without brushing them off
• Make time for her rejuvenation — emotionally and physically
• Prioritise regular antenatal and postnatal health check-ups

Don’ts:

• Don’t expect her to be an “ideal” mother right away
• Don’t overwhelm her with news, guests, or sudden changes
• Don’t dismiss her emotions as “just hormones”
• Don’t leave her isolated — loneliness can intensify distress

Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby, Healthy Future

Maternal mental health is not a luxury — it’s a necessity for a healthy society. Dr Beppari had a clear message: “A mother’s emotional well-being is the foundation of a child’s future. The care she receives today determines the life she builds tomorrow.”

The writer is a senior independent journalist.