POST PARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD) GETS CENTRE STAGE IN LAGOS
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away, a smile keeps wrinkles away. When you feel out of place, talk to a therapist!” – is how Mrs Chinonye Madu, a Clinical Psychologist, describes the need to seek medical help when needed. She was speaking at a recent mental health conference organized by Postpartum Support Network Africa (PSN Africa) to mark World Maternal Mental Health Week (WMMHW) 2019.
The annual conference which is its’ 3rd, sought to highlight the need for continuous sensitization & support for women and mothers, who are victims of Post Partum Disorder (PPD) and other related illnesses.
The event took place on Saturday the 4th of May, at Oriental Hotel Lekki Lagos, and had a number of women in attendance with a handful of supportive men.
Tagged “And Then We Weren’t: Maternal Mental Health and Rising Above Loss”, the conference kicked off with a half-hour relaxing yoga routine for the moms, before getting into the three (3) sessions of engaging topics slated for the day. The passion in the hall was palpable as participants listened to panelists who shared openly their pain and struggles with Post Partum Depression.
First session featured panelists sharing their painful experiences with miscarriages and stillbirths. The pain in their voice erupted into tears most of the time, and the audience responded to their pain with sighs and murmurs.
The second session dwelt on how to deal with loss. Titled “Pregnancy Loss: How it happens, what to expect”, the session focused on the resulting depression, and professionals on the panel, proffered effective ways to prevent and manage it.
One unforgettable highlight perhaps, was the graphic analogy given by one panelist, Dr Charles Umeh. He drew a correlation between ‘getting naked’ and PPD treatment. He asked a simple question: “When you as a person gets naked in the bathroom, is it normal?” The audience answered “Yes”. He asked again, “When you do that same act of going naked in a room like this, is that normal too?” They answered “No”, with loud laughter. The point had been made. When it comes to PPD treatment, one size doesn’t fit all, context is key.
An awards presentation to deserving individuals closed the day, which was clearly a fulfilling one for participants. Some of them spoke to TW and said it was a real eye opener. Temitiope, a young lad, and Nkechi, a young woman, both agree that before now, to them, PPD was mere fiction or at best an exaggeration. On the other hand, young and single Jumoke, is now driven to helping victims of PPD after being emotionally touched by the true narrations from affected mothers.
Get to know more about PSN Africa and how to volunteer – visit: www.postpartumafrica.org
