India Pharma Outlook Team | Thursday, 04 June 2026
Maarga Mind Care has launched an Integrated Maternal Mental Health Programme along with Maarga Divasa, an integrated day care programme aimed at supporting mothers through the emotional and psychological challenges that often come with pregnancy and early motherhood.
The initiative comes at a time when maternal mental health is receiving growing attention as an important public health issue. While motherhood is often viewed as a joyful journey, many women quietly struggle with stress, anxiety, emotional exhaustion and depression during pregnancy or after childbirth.
According to a major 2025 study published in The Lancet Psychiatry, which examined data from nearly two million women and girls across 90 countries, one in every 15 mothers develops major depressive disorder within the first year after giving birth. In countries like India, the numbers are even more concerning, with nearly one in five women estimated to experience postpartum depression.
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Despite the rising number of cases, maternal mental health issues are still widely under-recognised and untreated. Many women do not seek help either because they are unaware of their symptoms or due to the social stigma around mental healthcare.
Dr. Jothi Neeraja, founder, chairwoman and managing director of People Tree Hospitals and Maarga Mind Care, said many mothers suffer in silence without proper diagnosis or treatment.
“In India, one in five women experiences mental health challenges during pregnancy or within a year of childbirth, often without diagnosis or treatment. Most don’t even realize they require therapy, psychiatric assistance, and monitoring without needing to be hospitalized. This is where Maarga’s service comes into play to fill this crucial void through a multidisciplinary approach to treatment,” she said.
She added that the new programme is designed to fill this gap by offering a multidisciplinary approach that combines psychiatric care, counselling and regular support without requiring hospitalisation.
The Integrated Maternal Mental Health Programme is expected to support mothers through different stages of motherhood, from pregnancy to the postpartum period, ensuring that emotional and psychological care becomes part of overall maternal healthcare in India.
Mental health experts associated with the programme stressed that emotional well-being during pregnancy and after childbirth is just as important as physical health.
Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, consultant psychiatrist, psychotherapist and addiction psychiatrist at Maarga Mind Care, said becoming a mother can bring happiness, but it can also lead to emotional struggles.
"Being pregnant or a mother can be a source of happiness, but at the same time, this phase might cause stress, self-doubts and fear. Post-natal depression is a issue that impacts not only the physical well-being of the mother but also her mental well-being and self-confidence when dealing with her newborn child. Assistance for psychological conditions should be provided during pregnancy as well as postpartum," she said.
She emphasised the need for mental health support for mothers during pregnancy and after delivery, adding that early intervention can help mothers better manage emotional challenges and improve overall family well-being.
With the launch of Maarga Divasa and the Integrated Maternal Mental Health Programme, Maarga Mind Care hopes to build a compassionate support system where mothers receive the care they need before childbirth, during pregnancy and after becoming parents.
As awareness around maternal wellness, pregnancy mental health, and postpartum care grows, such initiatives could play an important role in helping mothers seek timely support and improving access to specialised care in India.
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