Shaping a Maternal Mental Health Crisis Response to COVID-19
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By Madhavi Roy, Paul Shetler Fast & Vicha Adri
As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths rise, women are experiencing more anxiety both during and after pregnancy. One-third of all mental health problems are associated with adverse childhood and community experiences—the pandemic is an adverse community experience being felt worldwide.
The pandemic has created a mental health crisis for women and girls. And the problems that arise come in many forms, with implications for both mental and physical health. The ensuing restrictions and lockdowns have led to severe mental health problems in pregnant women and rising teen pregnancies, which can also lead to increased stress and anxiety, because of physical and psychological vulnerability,restricted autonomy, and limited access to essential resources like food and healthcare. In Kenya, as availability of birth control and sex education dissemination fell, unwanted teenage pregnancies and sexual violence against women and girls rose. More than 2 million unwanted pregnancies will occur in India during the pandemic, according to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates, with likely increases in women accessing unsafe abortions. Research shows that women who continue unwanted pregnancies face an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and increased risk of postpartum depression, which can lead to negative health outcomes for women globally, especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).