26/05/2026
Behind many smiles, baby showers, and “I’m fine” responses, there are mothers silently struggling.
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, Psychiatric Nurses Nilda Belliard and Rose Duverna from the Department of Behavioural Health Services facilitated a maternal mental health session within the clinic waiting area, creating space for honest conversations surrounding the emotional realities many women experience during pregnancy and motherhood.
For some women, motherhood brings joy and fulfilment. For others, it can also bring fear, exhaustion, anxiety, loneliness, emotional overwhelm, identity changes, and silent battles that are rarely talked about openly. Globally, maternal mental health challenges continue to affect millions of women, yet many suffer quietly because they fear judgement, feel ashamed, or believe they are expected to simply “push through.”
The session encouraged women to understand that struggling emotionally does not make them weak, ungrateful, or incapable. It makes them human.
Discussions focused on recognising signs of emotional distress, understanding the importance of support systems, managing stress, and knowing when to seek help before emotional challenges become overwhelming. Participants were reminded that unresolved maternal mental health struggles can affect not only the mother, but also bonding, relationships, parenting, physical health, and the emotional wellbeing of the entire family.
Too often, people ask mothers if the baby is okay without ever asking if the mother is okay.
Conversations like these matter because support, understanding, and early intervention can change outcomes, save relationships, strengthen families, and in some cases, save lives.
