Maarga Mind Care has launched its Integrated Maternal Mental Health Program along with Maarga Divasa, an integrated day-care program designed to support women through the emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges associated with motherhood.

The initiative seeks to bridge a significant gap in maternal healthcare by providing multidisciplinary mental health support from the pre-pregnancy stage through pregnancy and the postpartum period.

The launch comes amid increasing global recognition of maternal mental health as a major public health concern. A landmark 2025 study published in The Lancet Psychiatry, which analyzed data from nearly two million women and girls across 90 countries, reported that one in every 15 mothers develops major depressive disorder within the first year after childbirth.

Despite the prevalence of these conditions, experts say maternal mental health disorders often remain undiagnosed and untreated, leading to long-term consequences for both mothers and children.

The program was unveiled alongside an expert lecture titled “The Shortcomings in Management of Mental Health for Women During Preparation for Motherhood and the Postpartum Period,” which focused on persistent gaps in awareness, diagnosis, and access to specialized care.

Dr. Jothi Neeraja, Founder, Chairwoman and Managing Director of People Tree Hospitals and Maarga Mind Care said, "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.”

Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist and Addiction Psychiatrist at Maarga Mind Care said, "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 an issue that impacts not only the physical well-being of the mother but also her mental well-being and self-confidence."

The discussion brought together leading healthcare professionals, including Dr. Aruna Kalra, Dr. Ankita Mittal, Ms. Aishwarya Raj, Dr. Vinay Saini, and Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, and was moderated by Dr. Ekaansh Sharma. The event was attended by maternal healthcare specialists, mental health professionals, and policymakers, with Dr. Mukesh Batra serving as the Chief Guest.