MHM Magazine

18 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 2023 | Issue 1 MHM While postnatal depression is well known, depression during pregnancy is almost as common and carries risks of increased complications during pregnancy and childbirth, explained Dr Bavi Vythilingum member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP). However, she said that treatment Between 21% and 47% of South African women experience depression during pregnancy, and 31% to 50% suffer postnatal depression, compared to the global rate of approximately 12% of women experiencing depression during or after pregnancy. Up to half of expectant mothers in South Africa experience depression during pregnancy and following childbirth that goes undiagnosed and untreated – with risks to their own and their babies’ health and future development. DEPRESSION DURING PREGNANCY HARMFUL TO MOTHER AND CHILD, BUT TREATABLE By Linda Christensen Press Office South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP)