About 33 percent of the 325 mothers interviewed in a study conducted in Fiji showed signs of depression during the year following childbirth, with 16 percent requiring clinical attention.
This was highlighted by Minister for Women Sashi Kiran during the Voices of Mothers Workshop, which discussed research into postpartum depression among mothers attending maternal and child health clinics at the CWM Hospital.
The Voices of Mothers study is the first of its kind in Fiji to measure postpartum depression, as there were no available data on postpartum in Fiji before this.
Kiran says the research highlights postpartum depression as a significant public health concern in Fiji, with an estimated 12 percent of participants meeting the threshold for probable postpartum depression.
She says of particular concern is that nearly nine percent of participants reported thoughts of self-harm, underscoring the importance of early identification and timely support.
The Minister says these findings remind us that postpartum depression is not rare and is something mothers should not have to face alone.
She says the condition often remains hidden, misunderstood and untreated, with many women suffering in silence because they fear stigma and judgement.
She says the issue affects not only women but also their families and communities.
Kiran further says that postpartum depression is a serious but often under-recognised condition that can affect the well-being of mothers, infants and families.
She says the study addresses an important gap in understanding the challenges women face during a critical stage of their lives.
Kiran adds that communities must rethink how they support mothers and ensure women know they are not alone during the period following childbirth.
