It Takes a Community: Postpartum Depression and the Role of Support.

By Debbie Bonsu Amoah, IPHA Intern, Chronic Disease Internship

She wakes at 3 a.m., baby in her arms, tears streaming. Not just the baby’s tears, but hers too. The house is silent. The phone that once rang nonstop is now still. Where is the village everyone talks about?

“It takes a village to raise a child” is a phrase we have all heard. It captures the truth that raising children requires more than parents alone; it takes family, friends, and neighbours working together. Sometimes that support looks like a meal dropped off at the doorstep, a babysitting offer, or a simple check-in to ask how a new mom is coping. Too often, though, the village fades once the baby arrives. The visits slow down, the help dries up, and mothers are left alone with struggles that are heavier than most people realise.

As a midwife and public health professional, I believe this silence is not just disappointing; it is dangerous. No mother should bear that weight alone.

Understanding Postpartum Depression

In the United States, about one in seven mothers experiences postpartum depression (CDC, 2023). The early weeks after birth often bring mood changes, but postpartum depression is different. It lingers, unsettles, and casts a shadow over what should be a joyful season.

Postpartum depression is not about weakness or ingratitude. It is a medical condition marked by deep sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, withdrawal, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts. It demands awareness, compassion, and real support.

Community support is not optional here. It is life-saving. Community health workers, family members, religious leaders, and healthcare providers all have a critical role in recognising symptoms, reducing stigma, and helping women access care.

Reflection from Film: Baby Blues

Stories told through film can sometimes bring issues to life more vividly than statistics. The Nigerian film Baby Blues, directed by Uche Montana, does just that. The protagonist begins her journey as many mothers do: healthy, happy, and excited through pregnancy. Yet soon after childbirth, she is engulfed by the emotional storm of postpartum depression.

What stands out most is the role of her husband. Though imperfect, his attempts at encouragement and support highlight an often-overlooked truth: recovery is easier when partners and families show up with compassion.

The film reminds us that postpartum depression is not just a private struggle. It affects families, relationships, and homes. A supportive partner or family can make the difference between isolation and recovery.

It Takes a Community: Myth or Reality?

In past generations, extended families often surrounded new mothers with steady care. Today, with families scattered and busy lives pulling people in every direction, that safety net is weaker. Many mothers are left to manage alone, and stigma around mental health makes it even harder to reach out.

The reality is clear:

• Yes, mothers need a community.

• No, many do not actually have one.

Turning the Myth Into Reality

If we truly believe in community, we have to move beyond words. Real support looks like:

•     Asking mothers how they are doing, not just about the baby.

•     Breaking the silence around maternal mental health.

•     Offering practical help, whether babysitting, cooking, or simply listening.

•     Building systems that connect mothers to professional care when needed.

As someone who works in maternal and child health, I see this shift as essential. When communities take action, we do more than raise healthy children. We nurture healthy mothers, families, and societies.

Moving Forward Together

Postpartum depression is not just a personal hardship. It is a public health issue. No mother should feel judged or abandoned by the very community that is supposed to stand beside her.

Even small actions: listening without judgment, sharing household responsibilities, offering words of comfort, can create meaningful change.

If we believe that it takes a village to raise a child, then we must also believe it takes a community to support a mother. Let us commit to building those communities so that no woman has to walk this journey alone.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Depression among women. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/features/maternal-depression/index.html

Letourneau, N., et al. (2017). Postpartum depression is a family issue: Addressing the impact on mothers, fathers, and children. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 38(7), 590–599. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2017.1300982