PREGNANT WOMAN AND MENTAL ILLNESS

SPREGNANT WOMAN AND MENTAL ILLNESS

Mental illness is the most prevalent life-threatening issue among pregnant woman. "Some 2.1 million people die of AIDS, tuberculosis kills 1.6 million and malaria causes 1.3 million deaths annually. However 7.6 million deaths every year caused by pregnancy related complications go unnoticed." Prof Gwyneth Lewis, internationally renowned advocate on safe motherhood, said that about 300 million women are living with long-term consequences of pregnancy, especially mental illness. The expert launched Nepali's drastic reduction in the MMR (Maternal Mortality rate).

            An estimated 20-25 percent population could suffer from some kind of Mental illness. However, less than one percent of the health sector budget is allocated in addressing mental illness in Nepal. Increased cases of abortion among teenagers could have serous consequences, and that they need proper counseling during the process.

            Psychiatrist Dr. Saroj Prasad Ojha said the severity of depression among women is twice that among men. "Ten percent women suffer from depression during pregnancy while 13 percent suffer from it even after giving birth."