Postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum psychosis are serious, often life-threatening mental health conditions that affect a significant number of new mothers globally. Statistically, 1 in 5 women will experience some form of perinatal mental health disorder in the first year after childbirth. This fact underscores a critical, yet often neglected, aspect of maternal health. Postpartum depression, in particular, is not only characterised by a profound sense of sadness and disconnection, but it can also lead to a complete loss of contact with reality, particularly in cases of postpartum psychosis. This severe mental health disorder is the leading cause of maternal death in the first postnatal year, with many women tragically resorting to suicide as a result of their untreated mental illness.
In Nigeria, the statistics are equally alarming, with studies suggesting that 20 to 35 per cent of new mothers are affected by postpartum depression. However, these figures may actually be an underrepresentation of the true scale of the crisis, given that many cases go unreported due to stigma, lack of awareness, and inadequate support networks. The societal pressures placed on women, particularly in more conservative or rural communities, exacerbate this problem. Women are often expected to silently endure the challenges of motherhood, and mental health issues are seen as a source of shame. In such an environment, seeking help for postpartum depression can feel like an impossible act of defiance.
It is against this backdrop that CNN International has launched ‘M/Other’, a stage production aimed at addressing the issue of maternal mental health in Nigeria. This innovative performance, which premiered at the Afropolis festival in Lagos, uses theatre and dance to explore the isolation, shame, and stigma that new mothers experience when struggling with postpartum mental illness. Created by QDANCE Company and Katy Streek, in collaboration with CNN’s As Equals team, the 40-minute production seeks to raise awareness about the urgent need to address maternal mental health, not only in Nigeria but globally.
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The production’s power lies not just in its artistic expression but in its capacity to provoke discussion and change. In a panel discussion following the performance, Dr Tomi Coker, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, highlighted the critical need for a public reckoning with the issue of postpartum depression. She pointed out that cultural expectations often silence mothers’ mental health struggles, with many feeling that they must remain stoic and composed for the sake of their families. She underscored that the burden of responsibility for recognising and addressing these struggles should not fall solely on the mother, but on families, communities, and society at large. “Simple acts of care,” she said, “could save the lives of millions of mothers and their new-borns.” This reminder—that care is not only a healthcare issue but a societal responsibility—was a key takeaway for the audience.
Prof Bosede Afolabi, an expert in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, further emphasised that maternal mental health is often neglected in healthcare settings. While physical health conditions like bleeding or preeclampsia receive prompt attention, mental health issues like postpartum depression and psychosis remain largely invisible. This medical oversight is compounded by a lack of training in recognising the psychological symptoms of postpartum disorders. Afolabi, who heads the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at LUTH’s College of Medicine, called for urgent policy reforms to address maternal mental health, highlighting that it is an integral part of reducing maternal deaths globally. Her words serve as a reminder that healthcare systems must adapt to meet the needs of women, not only during the physical recovery from childbirth but also in their mental and emotional recovery.
CNN’s As Equals initiative, spearheaded by Eliza Anyangwe, Managing Editor of CNN’s gender desk, plays a crucial role in amplifying the often overlooked issue of maternal mental health. Anyangwe noted that maternal health, and specifically maternal mental health, is rarely given the attention it deserves in media reporting. Despite the high numbers of women still dying in childbirth, she explained, maternal mental health remains largely absent from cultural discussions, medical practices, public policy, and even women’s rights advocacy. In Nigeria, societal pressures—often from husbands, in-laws, and the wider community—can contribute to isolation, leaving new mothers without the support they need to manage mental health challenges.
The performance and the panel discussion that followed ‘M/Other’ serve as a much-needed call to action. Addressing maternal mental health requires a multifaceted approach—one that involves not only the medical community but also families, governments, and the media. The stigma surrounding postpartum depression and psychosis must be dismantled, as it prevents women from seeking the help they need. Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, spoke about the widespread stigma that surrounds maternal mental health, noting that it often forces women to suffer in silence. “Addressing this issue is vital,” she said, “to ensure that no woman feels isolated or unsupported during such a critical time in her life.” It is only by fostering a more open and supportive environment that women can feel empowered to seek help, thus improving outcomes for both mothers and their babies.
Ultimately, ‘M/Other’ is more than just a performance. It is a vital contribution to the ongoing conversation about maternal mental health. By using the power of art and journalism, it creates a space for women to share their experiences, raises awareness about the importance of recognising postpartum depression and psychosis, and challenges societal norms that perpetuate stigma. But the work does not end there. As Dr Coker and others pointed out, it is essential that we take the lessons learned from performances like ‘M/Other’ and translate them into tangible change—whether through improved healthcare policies, more widespread education, or simply a shift in cultural attitudes towards maternal mental health. Only then can we begin to ensure that no woman, anywhere, has to face the challenges of postpartum depression alone.