Renowned Pakistani actress Sarwat Gilani has highlighted the urgent need to raise public awareness about postpartum depression, a mental health condition that affects women after childbirth.
Speaking during a television program, Gilani revealed that she personally experienced symptoms of postpartum depression following the birth of her third child. She described her struggles with anxiety, difficulty breathing, recurring distressing thoughts at night, and troubling feelings about her baby.
“People often ignore mental illnesses because they can’t be seen physically,” she said. “But these are very real and serious conditions that require understanding and care.”
The actress urged families and parents to recognize the early signs of postpartum depression and to provide emotional and medical support to affected women. She emphasized that timely help and empathy can make a significant difference.
Sharing her own experience, Gilani credited her husband for recognizing the condition and standing by her. “Proper care and awareness can help many women recover,” she added.
The actress also shared a deeply emotional moment from her hospital stay, saying she once thought that throwing her newborn away might end her suffering, but quickly realized that no mother wants to harm her child, underscoring that such thoughts stem from illness, not intent.
Health experts note that postpartum depression is a common but treatable condition, and that early diagnosis, therapy, and community support can save lives. They stress the need for greater mental health services and societal understanding in Pakistan.
