FOURTH year occupational therapy UKZN students, working in the Mariannridge community are giving attention to maternal mental health as part of their community field work training.
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The caring students, Jessica Heaver and Nombulelo Zuma said they chose to focus on maternal mental health due to the realisation and understanding of the challenges that mothers face.
“Mothers are silenced which has detrimental effects on their own lives, the lives of their children as well as their families,” said Zuma.
Heaver said studies show that one in three mothers may experience depression, anxiety and stress during their pregnancy and motherhood journey.
“We believe that society is guilty of placing huge expectations and pressures on a mother’s journey which contributes to the silencing of mothers who are experiencing mental health challenges in fear of judgement and stigmatisation from others,” she said
Instead of placing pressure on mothers, the students said the community need to remind expecting women that pregnancy is an enjoyable experience.
“Motherhood is natural and mothers have naturally existing instincts on how to care for their child. Mothers needs a supportive community, they should not be expected to do it alone. It takes the community to raise a child,” said Zuma.
To achieve their goal, the duo work closely with nurses and community healthcare workers (CHW’s) at the Mariannridge clinic.
They identify challenges that mothers face, easy identification methods and develop continuous support groups for mothers who are identified as experiencing maternal mental health challenges.
If anyone knows of someone who would benefit from these groups and requires extra support, they can speak to the nurses, community healthcare workers or occupational therapy students at the Mariannridge clinic.
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