Why Do Fewer Than 20% of Mothers With Postpartum Depression Receive Treatment?

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects millions of women worldwide, yet less than 20% of mothers receive proper treatment. Despite being a highly treatable condition, many women continue to struggle in silence due to stigma, lack of awareness, and barriers in healthcare access. Understanding why treatment rates are so low is essential for improving support systems and ensuring that mothers receive the care they need. This article explores the main reasons behind the low treatment rate for PPD and highlights the societal, emotional, and structural challenges that prevent women from seeking help.

Lack of Awareness About Postpartum Depression Symptoms
One of the biggest reasons mothers do not receive treatment for PPD is a lack of awareness. Many women cannot distinguish between normal postpartum emotions and clinical depression. They assume that excessive sadness, anxiety, irritability, or disconnection from the baby are simply part of motherhood. Without understanding the seriousness of these symptoms, they do not realize that they need professional help. The lack of proper education during pregnancy and postpartum care results in many mothers suffering without knowing they are experiencing a treatable medical condition.

Stigma and Fear of Being Judged
Stigma around mental health plays a major role in preventing mothers from seeking treatment. Many women worry that admitting to postpartum depression will make them appear weak, unstable, or unfit to care for their baby. They fear judgment from family, society, and even healthcare professionals. This fear is especially strong in cultures where mothers are expected to be always nurturing and emotionally strong. The idea that “good mothers do not struggle” keeps many suffering silently. As a result, shame and guilt act as powerful barriers, stopping mothers from discussing their symptoms openly or asking for support.

Cultural and Social Expectations of Motherhood
Societal pressure to be a perfect mother can make postpartum depression harder to acknowledge. Women often feel obligated to show that they are coping well, even when they are emotionally overwhelmed. They may hide their symptoms to fulfill unrealistic expectations placed upon new mothers. The belief that motherhood should be naturally joyful discourages women from admitting emotional struggles. These cultural expectations make mothers feel isolated, leading them to avoid treatment because they think their experience is unusual or a personal failure.

Limited Access to Mental Health Resources
Many mothers, especially those in low-income or rural communities, do not have access to mental health care. They may lack local therapists, psychiatrists, or clinics specializing in postpartum care. Even if they want treatment, the nearest facility may be far away, transportation may be unavailable, or appointments may be difficult to schedule. Additionally, long wait times, lack of childcare, and financial constraints make mental health care inaccessible for many new mothers. Without support systems in place, treatment becomes an unrealistic possibility.

Financial Barriers and Cost of Treatment
The cost of therapy, medication, and follow-up appointments can prevent many mothers from seeking help. Postpartum depression treatment may not be fully covered by insurance, and out-of-pocket expenses can be overwhelming. Many new parents are already facing financial stress due to childcare costs, medical bills, or unpaid maternity leave. The fear of additional expenses leads many women to avoid seeking professional help, even when they know they are struggling emotionally.

Misdiagnosis or Underdiagnosis by Healthcare Providers
Another reason treatment rates are low is that postpartum depression is often overlooked by healthcare providers. Regular postpartum checkups focus mainly on the physical recovery of the mother and the health of the baby. Mental health screening is either brief or sometimes skipped altogether. Some doctors may mistake PPD symptoms for fatigue, hormonal changes, or typical new-mother stress. Without a proper diagnosis, mothers do not receive the treatment they need, and their symptoms may worsen over time.

Lack of Routine Postpartum Mental Health Screening
Many healthcare systems do not require mandatory mental health screening after childbirth. When screenings are not standard, mothers who might be struggling emotionally go unnoticed. Routine screenings could help identify symptoms early, but without them, mothers must take the initiative themselves—something many find difficult due to fatigue, stress, or denial. The absence of structured screening keeps treatment rates very low.

Fear of Medication and Side Effects
Some mothers avoid treatment because they fear antidepressants, especially if they are breastfeeding. They worry that medication may harm their baby or cause dependency. Misconceptions about mental health medication and lack of clear guidance from professionals reinforce these fears. Although safe treatment options exist, fear of the unknown keeps many women from exploring or accepting them.

Overwhelming Responsibilities and Lack of Time
New mothers often feel overwhelmed by responsibilities and may have no time to focus on their own health. Between feeding, caring for the baby, managing the household, and dealing with sleep deprivation, many mothers cannot prioritize treatment. Attending therapy sessions or medical appointments may seem impossible without support from family or childcare resources. As a result, their emotional well-being takes a back seat, and they delay seeking help.

 

Misunderstanding PPD as Temporary Baby Blues
Many women confuse postpartum depression with temporary baby blues, which are short-term emotional changes after birth. Because baby blues are common and usually resolve on their own, mothers assume their symptoms will also fade. This misunderstanding leads to delayed treatment, and by the time they realize the symptoms are more serious, they may already feel discouraged or hopeless.

Partner and Family Lack of Support
Support from partners and family plays a major role in postpartum recovery. When families do not understand PPD, they may dismiss symptoms or tell mothers to “be strong” or “just rest.” This lack of emotional validation prevents mothers from seeking professional help. In some cases, family members may discourage treatment due to stigma or cultural beliefs, making the problem even harder to address.

Fewer than 20% of mothers with postpartum depression receive treatment due to stigma, lack of awareness, financial barriers, limited access to mental health care, and social pressures surrounding motherhood. Many women suffer silently because they fear judgment, misunderstand their symptoms, or lack the resources needed to seek help. Addressing these obstacles requires education, routine screening, supportive healthcare systems, and cultural change that encourages mothers to prioritize their mental health. With improved awareness and access to care, more mothers can receive timely treatment and recover fully from postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression is a condition that involves physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that occur in some women after giving birth.
Most new mothers experience “baby blues” after giving birth, especially when they already have depression symptoms. About 1 in 10 of these women develop more severe and long-lasting depression. Our UrgentWay healthcare providers are here to provide postpartum depression prognosis  and treatment.