MENTAL WELLBEING DURING PREGNANCY

Mental well-being during pregnancy is as important as physical well-being but is often neglected by most women. The reasons why  this aspect of well-being is given less importance are :

• The social stigma:
  More often than not, disclosing emotional conditions and discomforts raises questions on mental fitness.
• Treatment fears: 
  The fear created around the treatment plan is a deterrent.
• Fear of emotions turning or leading to negative situations:
• Anticipating risk by comparing the case studies of people who seek professional help and who refrain. This affects their perception about consulting a therapist.
• Social norms – family’s dismissive attitude towards the need for therapy.
• Self-esteem – considering themselves as ‘weak’ because of their need for professional help.
• Gender – thinking that this is the way women feel, due to mental conditioning by the older generation.

This is where counselors and educators play an important role. They can reach out to women, have open conversations about mental health and encourage them to seek help when they need it. This change in attitude towards mental well-being has to start now and it has to start with US!