– Pharmacist urges practitioners
Worried about the prevalence and lack of awareness of postpartum depression (PPD) in Nigeria, a renowned hospital pharmacist at the Military Hospital, Port Harcourt, Pharm. Tobechukwu Nneji, has called on pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to leverage social media in creating awareness about PPD and shape public perception and beliefs.
In an interview with Pharmanewsonline, Pharm. Nneji, popularly known on social media as “Subpharmacist,” emphasised the urgent need for more discourse on PPD, citing a recent viral incident in Lagos State, where a nursing mother was reported to have concealed her baby’s lifeless body beneath her bed.
The tragic event, which occurred in the Fagba area of Lagos State, sparked widespread reactions, with many blaming the woman or attributing her actions to supernatural forces.
Nneji described postpartum depression as depression occurring after childbirth, affecting many women, particularly first-time mothers. “The mother may feel detached from her baby or partner and even have thoughts of hurting herself or her baby. Most women experience mild forms of PPD, but some are not so fortunate. Symptoms of postpartum depression include insomnia or excessive sleep, severe mood swings and irritability, loss of appetite, difficulty bonding with the baby, restlessness and agitation.
“PPD often goes unrecognised because it is frequently misinterpreted as a spiritual attack. Lack of awareness plays a major role in this, as understanding what something is allows individuals to better explain what they are experiencing or feeling. The problem is that many people assume a person must be visibly distressed, like running naked in the streets, before they can be considered to have a mental health issue. However, once your mental health is out of order, you are already dealing with a mental health problem,” he stated.
Recounting his personal experience with mental health issues in a hospital setting, he noted that mental health patients are not commonly seen in regular community settings. However, during his posting in a unit that handled patients with mental health challenges, he encountered cases where patients insisted they were fine despite visible struggles. Some were in the recovery phase and required counselling and medical guidance to respond positively to treatment.
He maintained that pharmacists have a role to play in addressing mental health issues. “Though PPD may or may not be managed with medications, postpartum psychosis must be treated with medications, and as you all know, pharmacists are the chief custodians of drugs,” he said.
Nneji added: “Many people are more comfortable speaking to pharmacists, and their positioning in the community setting makes them accessible for consultations on medications and mental health. To enhance this role, I believe pharmacists should take additional courses in mental health-related areas to gain deeper insights and become highly valuable in managing such cases.”
According to him, the major obstacles in Nigeria’s healthcare system that prevent proper intervention in such matters include lack of awareness, lack of screening, stigma, inadequate training for healthcare providers, and financial barriers.
“If individuals do not recognise a problem, they cannot address it. Many first-time mothers do not realise they need help in particular situations, leading them to believe they can manage on their own until the situation worsens. Screening tests such as hormonal tests can help in identifying PPD early, but many hospitals do not incorporate them as part of routine maternal care.
“Stigma is another major hindrance to intervention, as many first-time mothers fear judgment and avoid seeking help. They worry about what people will say or how society will perceive them. Some healthcare providers are also not properly trained to identify and address PPD, further complicating intervention efforts. Financial constraints make it difficult for many mothers to afford mental health consultations with psychiatrists or psychologists.” Nneji stressed
He insisted that to remedy these issues, creating awareness through social media and television campaigns must come into play. “Educating women about postpartum depression during antenatal sessions can help them understand their bodies and feelings, enabling them to seek help when necessary. With increased awareness, stigma is reduced, as people fear what they do not understand. Hospitals should incorporate hormonal screening for pregnant women, especially first-time mothers, to help detect potential issues early. Governmental bodies should implement special training opportunities for healthcare providers to better equip them for handling PPD cases.”
He recommended that there should also be insurance schemes that make psychiatric and psychological consultations more affordable for pregnant women, particularly first-time mothers. “The government and non-governmental organisations can subsidise mental health services, easing the financial burden on affected individuals,” he said.
Most critically, he stressed the use of social media as a powerful tool in shaping public discourse on PPD and PPP. “When I made my post on the topic on X, many people who had no prior knowledge of PPD learned from it and began discussing the issue. That is the power of social media. Pharmacists can leverage social media to change narratives positively, shape public discourse, and create awareness. You simply choose your platform of choice, such as X or TikTok, and consistently create valuable content for people. Everything else will follow.”
On systemic changes needed to support mothers suffering from PPD, he highlighted the importance of insurance coverage for mental health, postpartum checkups, paid parental leave, and family support in easing the burden on mothers.
He also urged other healthcare professionals and the general public to spread awareness and treat affected individuals with compassion and understanding.
