Recognise the signs before it becomes a crisis – Esther Kyewaa on mental health

Mental Health Practitioner, addiction specialist and counselling psychologist Esther Kyewaa Opoku has urged families to recognise the early warning signs of mental health challenges among mothers, warning that delaying support can allow manageable conditions to escalate into serious crises.

She explained that many women experience emotional and psychological changes during pregnancy and after childbirth, but their struggles are often dismissed as ordinary stress or exhaustion until the situation becomes severe.

According to her, warning signs such as persistent sadness, frequent crying, withdrawal, loss of interest in the baby, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite and overwhelming feelings should never be ignored.

Opoku noted that in some severe cases, untreated postpartum depression can progress to psychosis, with mothers experiencing hallucinations, aggression or even thoughts of harming themselves or their babies.

She also cautioned against attributing every mental health condition solely to spiritual causes, saying such assumptions often delay the professional care many women urgently need.

"We should pick the signals right from the beginning," she urged.

The counselling psychologist encouraged relatives, friends and spouses to pay close attention to changes in a mother's behaviour, regularly check on her wellbeing and ensure she receives timely emotional and professional support when necessary.

She stressed that early intervention, coupled with practical help and encouragement, can prevent many mothers from reaching breaking point while protecting both their wellbeing and that of their children.

AM