Mental health has become part of everyday conversations, and rightly so, because it affects us all, no matter our age or background. But one area that doesn’t get enough attention is how a mother’s mental health during pregnancy and after giving birth (the perinatal period) is deeply connected to her child’s well-being.
When mothers experience perinatal mental health challenges, it can shape their children’s development, health and future. That is why mother-and-child mental health deserves its own spotlight.
Below are seven truths to help us better understand and respond to the realities of mother and child mental health:
Truth 1: Every Number Tells a Mother’s Story
Pregnancy and the period after birth are times of increased vulnerability for mothers. Globally, about 10 % of pregnant women and 13 % of women after giving birth experience a mental disorder, mostly depression. In low- and middle-income countries, these figures are even higher, rising to 15.6 % during pregnancy and 19.8 % after childbirth.
In South Africa, the picture is even more concerning. Some studies report that 21–50% of women experience depression during and after pregnancy. In rural areas, mothers with young children have described depressive symptoms lasting more than two years after giving birth, significantly affecting their daily functioning.
Many women continue to suffer in silence as screening remains rare, symptoms are often normalised, and access to mental health services is limited.
Truth 2: The Impact on Children Is Real and Lasting
A mother’s mental health is important for both the mother and the child because it shapes how that child grows and develops.
Research shows that depressive symptoms during pregnancy are linked to poorer social-emotional and cognitive outcomes in children. When postnatal depression goes untreated, children may experience delays in language, behavioural challenges, lower school readiness, and a higher risk of developing their own mental health challenges.
One study tracking children from birth found that by age five, those with mothers who experienced depression had more health and behaviour issues.
In South Africa, depression among mothers with young children has been linked to poorer child health, undernutrition, frequent illness, and compromised early development (socially, emotionally and cognitively.
Truth 3: Mental Health Challenges Have Many Roots
Mental health challenges in mothers with young children rarely emerge from a single cause. Their roots are multi-layered, involving biological, psychological and social factors, with poverty often forming the underlying thread.
Biological changes such as hormonal shifts, sleep disruption and immune changes make the period during and after pregnancy especially vulnerable. On top of that, social and environmental pressures, including poverty, intimate partner violence, trauma and limited social support, intensify the risk.
Evidence from several studies shows that financial strain and marital stress are among the strongest risk factors for mental health challenges in mothers of young children. In low- and middle-income countries, additional burdens such as food insecurity, high HIV prevalence, gender inequality and overstretched health make mothers even more vulnerable.
Truth 4: Early Detection and Intervention Work
The encouraging news is that mental health challenges among mothers can be treated, and the earlier they’re identified, the better the outcomes for both mother and child.
According to the World Health Organization, evidence-based approaches such as screening, psychosocial support and counselling can be integrated into existing mother and child health services.
In many low- and middle-income countries, where routine mental health checks for mothers are uncommon, community programmes such as peer groups, home visits and group therapy have shown real impact.
The challenge, however, is that many women are never asked about their emotional well-being during pregnancy or at post-birth checkups, and their symptoms often go unnoticed by overburdened health workers.
So yes, there is reason for optimism, but much more must be done to close the gap between what we know works and what is actually implemented.
Truth 5: The Cost of Neglect is Too High
When a mother’s mental health challenges go unaddressed, the costs ripple far beyond the individual, affecting the mother, the child, the family and society at large.
For mothers, untreated depression and anxiety can lead to chronic mental illness, poor self-care, substance use, and in severe cases, suicide risk or psychosis.
For children, the effects can echo into adulthood, showing up as poor school performance, higher healthcare needs, ongoing mental health struggles and reduced economic productivity later in life.
In South Africa, maternal depression has been recognised as a barrier to children’s health, nutrition and development, and even as a violation of their constitutional rights to optimal care.
Economically, research shows that untreated perinatal mental illness carries significant costs to the healthcare system and the broader economy.
In truth, the burden is both emotional and societal. Investing in the mental health of mothers and children is an essential infrastructure for a thriving future.
Truth 6: Some Progress, But Big Gaps Persist in South Africa
In South Africa, efforts toward supporting mother–child mental health are underway, yet many women still fall through the cracks. There is no routine screening or treatment for maternal mental disorders built into primary care settings.
One of our partners, the Perinatal Mental Health Project (PMHP) delivers mental health services to pregnant and postnatal women, trains staff, and advocates for scale-up. They’re also developing a WhatsApp chatbot that aims to improve the skills of maternity healthcare providers in key areas such as respectful maternity care, empathic engagement, and self-care. It helps nurses understand and value the emotions involved in healthcare.
Public health facilities in South Africa struggle with issues like staff shortages, weak referral systems, and limited training tailored to the need of mothers during and after pregnancy, all of which make it hard to provide consistent mental health support. While some pilot programmes have shown promise, very few are sustained, scaled up, or fully integrated into routine services for mothers and children.
To make a real difference, we need stronger political commitment, dedicated funding, better integration of mental health into routine care for mothers, and innovative solutions that are supported over the long term.
Truth 7: Bridging Gaps with Innovation and Support
Everyone has a role to play, from caregivers (including mothers and fathers) to communities, NGOs, healthcare workers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs and social innovators.
Caregivers who receive the support they need, especially for their mental health, are better able to ensure the health and well-being of their young children. Fathers also need encouragement and guidance to contribute meaningfully, while healthcare workers need motivation and support to deliver quality care.
Entrepreneurs and social innovators have an important part to play too. Their ideas and tools can help bridge gaps, improve access, and design scalable solutions for mother and child mental health.
We are always looking for innovative ideas to act on opportunities and support caregivers in addressing mental health challenges. In the past we’ve supported solutions such as, Vuna and currently, we’ve partnered with PMHP, which is developing a chatbot to help healthcare workers provide more empathic care to mothers and pregnant women. Initiatives like these show how innovation, alongside community and NGO efforts, can turn care and compassion into practical, lasting impact.
On this World Mental Health Day, let’s remind ourselves that mother and child mental health is foundational. When a mother is supported, her child has a stronger chance to thrive. But it’s not enough to know these truths. We must act together, across sectors, in both policy and practice.
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Author: Dimpho Lephaila – Communications Associate at Innovation Edge