Report on Maternal Mental Health and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

This report analyzes the case of Ivana Poku, a maternal mental health advocate, to examine the challenges of postpartum depression and its broader implications for public health and sustainable development. The experiences detailed highlight critical gaps in maternal support systems and underscore the importance of addressing mental well-being to achieve key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Analysis of Postpartum Mental Health Challenges

The case of Ms. Poku, who experienced postpartum depression and intrusive thoughts following the birth of her twins, exemplifies several systemic issues affecting maternal health. These challenges represent significant barriers to achieving global health and equality targets.

• Prevalence and Symptoms: Postnatal mood changes are common, with 70-80% of new mothers experiencing “baby blues.” Approximately one in seven mothers worldwide develops clinical postnatal depression, which can include distressing and intrusive thoughts.
• Contributing Factors to Poor Mental Health: Social isolation is a primary catalyst for declining mental well-being. Ms. Poku’s situation was exacerbated by a lack of friends, family, and community support after moving to a new town. This isolation directly contravenes the principles of community well-being central to SDG 3.
• Barriers to Seeking Help: A significant obstacle to treatment is the stigma associated with maternal mental illness. Feelings of shame, guilt, and the perception of being a “horrible mother” prevent individuals from seeking help. This silence perpetuates a cycle of suffering that undermines both individual health (SDG 3) and gender equality (SDG 5) by reinforcing unrealistic expectations of motherhood.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Addressing maternal mental health is not merely a healthcare issue but a fundamental component of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Ms. Poku’s work and experience directly relate to the following SDGs:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

This goal aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Maternal mental health is a critical aspect of this objective.

• Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being. Ms. Poku’s advocacy, through her blog ‘Mum’s Journey’ and her book, directly contributes to this target by raising awareness, destigmatizing the issue, and providing peer support.
• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services. The difficulty Ms. Poku faced in accessing support, despite being given leaflets, indicates a failure in healthcare delivery. Effective systems must be proactive and accessible for those in a state of crisis.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

This goal seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The societal pressures and health challenges unique to mothers are a key area of focus.

• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The stigma surrounding postpartum depression is a form of discrimination that invalidates a woman’s health experience and can impede her personal and professional life.
• Empowerment: By providing education and support, initiatives like Ms. Poku’s empower women to take control of their health, fostering resilience and ensuring they are not left behind due to health challenges related to motherhood.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

This goal aims to reduce inequality within and among countries.

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all. Lack of support for maternal mental health can lead to social and economic exclusion. Community-based initiatives that provide free and accessible support help reduce these inequalities, ensuring new mothers remain connected and included.

Strategies for Mitigation and Support

The case study highlights several effective strategies that align with the SDGs and promote maternal well-being.

1. Education and Preparation: Proactive education for expectant mothers on postpartum emotional well-being is essential. This prepares individuals for potential challenges and normalizes the experience, reducing the shame that prevents help-seeking.
2. Community and Peer Support: The turning point for Ms. Poku was non-judgmental support from a friend and her husband. Formalizing this through platforms like ‘Mum’s Journey’ creates robust support networks that are vital for recovery.
3. Destigmatization: Openly sharing personal stories is a powerful tool for dismantling stigma. This work is crucial for creating an environment where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not failure.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The experience of Ivana Poku serves as a powerful testament to the urgent need to integrate maternal mental health into public health frameworks and sustainable development agendas. Her journey from silent suffering to vocal advocacy demonstrates a scalable model for community-based support. To advance the SDGs, particularly Goals 3, 5, and 10, the following actions are recommended:

• Integrate comprehensive mental health screenings and support into standard prenatal and postnatal care protocols.
• Launch public health campaigns to educate the public on the realities of postpartum mental health, thereby reducing stigma.
• Invest in and promote community-led support networks that provide accessible, non-clinical support for new mothers.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The central theme of the article is maternal mental health, specifically postpartum depression. It details the personal struggle of Ivana Poku, discusses the symptoms and prevalence of the condition, and emphasizes the importance of treatment and support. The article directly aligns with the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, with a specific focus on mental health.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article highlights a health issue that exclusively affects mothers, placing it within the context of gender-specific challenges. The narrative discusses the immense pressure and isolation faced by new mothers (“raising twins alone, without a support network”), the stigma that prevents them from speaking out (“The shame kept her silent”), and the societal expectation to be a “happy” mother. These elements are directly linked to achieving gender equality by addressing the unique health and social support needs of women.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s discussion, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Explanation: The article is a direct call to action to promote mental health and well-being. Ivana Poku’s work as a “maternal mental health advocate” and her creation of the “Mum’s Journey” blog and a course on “preparing for postpartum emotional wellbeing” are concrete examples of efforts to promote mental health. The clinical psychologist’s advice that “postnatal depression is a very treatable condition” underscores the treatment aspect of this target.
2. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including… access to quality essential health-care services…
   • Explanation: The article implies a gap in accessible and effective healthcare for new mothers. While Ivana was “given leaflets and phone numbers for support lines,” she notes that “reaching out felt impossible.” This highlights a barrier between the availability of services and actual access. The recommendation for mothers to “reach out to a healthcare provider” reinforces the need for accessible, quality mental health services as part of universal health coverage.
3. Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies…
   • Explanation: The article vividly illustrates the consequences of a lack of social protection and support for the unpaid care work of a new mother. Ivana’s situation is described as having “no friends nearby, no relatives to help and her husband worked long hours.” Her isolation and the statement, “No friends, no family, no support. That’s not okay,” point directly to the failure of the social support structure, which this target aims to address. The call for support from family and friends is a plea for the informal social protection networks that this target seeks to bolster through formal policies.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Prevalence of postnatal depression: The article provides a specific statistic that can be used as an indicator. Dr. Shahrzad Jalali states that postnatal depression “affects roughly one in seven people worldwide.” Tracking this prevalence rate is a direct way to measure the scale of the mental health challenge under Target 3.4.
• Access to and utilization of mental health support services by new mothers: The article implies this as a critical indicator. Ivana’s experience of being unable to use the support lines she was given information for suggests that merely providing resources is insufficient. A relevant indicator would measure not just the availability but the actual utilization of mental health services by postpartum mothers, which relates to Target 3.8.
• Availability of social and community support networks for new mothers: The article repeatedly emphasizes the lack of a support system as a key factor in Ivana’s mental health decline. Her statement, “No friends, no family, no support,” and the psychologist’s advice that “Support from family and friends is extremely important” imply that the strength and availability of these informal and formal support networks are crucial indicators of social protection, relevant to Target 5.4.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: newsweek.com