World Bank says depression, anxiety rising among KP mothers

Three aspects of mental health – depression, anxiety, and parental stress – are prevalent among mothers of children under six in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, according to a recent World Bank study.

A World Bank study has revealed that 28% of women and 58% of pregnant women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) face depression, while 21% suffer from generalised anxiety disorder. 

These maternal mental health issues are closely linked to lower early childhood development outcomes.

The research, conducted between December 2023 and February 2024, highlights the role of stress factors such as food and financial insecurity, domestic violence, and community crime in worsening mental health and child well-being.

Maternal depression and anxiety, compounded by parenting stress, negatively affect children’s emotional and social competence, increasing risks of aggression and reduced self-regulation. 

Women in low-income households, particularly in rural areas, experience disproportionately high mental health concerns.

The report urges policies targeting at-risk communities to provide mental health support and reduce stressors, emphasising the need for maternal care services and improved early childhood development initiatives.

With poverty and limited access to education compounding the crisis, the study underscores the urgent need for intervention to support KP’s mothers and their children.