77% of expecting, new mothers face depression or anxiety in Bangladesh: icddr,b study

Highlights:

• 77% of pregnant, postpartum women face depression or anxiety
• 66% experience both depression and anxiety simultaneously
• Cyberbullying linked to depression in 12% of adolescent girls
• Symptoms include fatigue, low mood, sleep disturbance, and suicidal thoughts

Mental health challenges among pregnant and postpartum women in Bangladesh have reached alarming levels, a recent study by icddr,b reveals.

According to the findings of the Advancing Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (AdSEARCH) project, 77% of women seeking care at health facilities suffer from depression or anxiety, with two-thirds experiencing both simultaneously.

The findings paint a sobering picture of maternal mental health in the country. Symptoms ranged from persistent low mood, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and loss of appetite to self-critical thoughts and suicidal ideation. 

Anxiety manifested as restlessness, nervousness, constant worry, and difficulty relaxing. Experts warn that such widespread mental health challenges not only affect the well-being of mothers but also have long-term consequences for child development and family health.

Unveiled today (9 September)  at icddr,b's Sasakawa auditorium, the study was conducted between 2022 and 2025 across seven district and sub-district hospitals outside Dhaka, observing 7,500 patients, including 5,600 women receiving care.

Broader mental health challenges

Additional AdSEARCH studies presented at the event revealed concerning trends across the country.

Analysis of the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey showed that 4% of women of reproductive age experience moderate to severe anxiety, and 5% suffer from moderate to severe depression, with the highest rates in disaster-prone regions such as Khulna, Rangpur, and Sylhet.

A separate survey of nearly 5,000 adolescent girls found that 8% had experienced cyberbullying, and 12% suffered severe depression, highlighting the growing link between online abuse and mental health risks.

Wellbeing centres offer a lifeline

Amid these distressing figures, Wellbeing Centres, offering private video counselling with psychologists and psychiatrists, have shown significant promise in alleviating symptoms.

Currently operational in five Upazila Health Complexes and two district hospitals, the centres are helping women regain emotional stability while reducing stress and anxiety. 

Experts say the success of tele-mental health services demonstrates the potential of digital solutions in resource-constrained settings like Bangladesh.

Calls for urgent action

Experts at the event stressed that mental health cannot continue to be overshadowed by physical health concerns.

"For women, mental health challenges are often more severe and overlooked. To progress as a nation and economy, we must collectively prioritise mental well-being," said Dr Sayeba Akhter.

Government officials reiterated their commitment to addressing the crisis. Kazi Delwar Hossain, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, noted that while Bangladesh has enacted the Mental Health Act and Policy, ensuring sustainable implementation remains a challenge.

Dr Syed Zakir Hossain, line director of NCDC at the Directorate General of Health Services, called for increased investment and wider accessibility of evidence-based mental health services at union and Upazila health complexes.

Dr Md Mahbubur Rahman, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, highlighted that while 600 Upazila-level doctors have been trained, more measures, including tele-mental health services, are urgently needed.

Edward Cabrera, first secretary–Development (Health) at the Canadian High Commission, reaffirmed Canada's support for advancing mental health services for women in Bangladesh.

The event concluded with remarks from Dr Shams El Arifeen, Project Director of AdSEARCH and Senior Scientist at icddr,b, emphasising the urgency of scaling up mental health support for women nationwide.