Depression in Pregnancy May Lead to Mental Health Issues for Children
In a recent article in the Lancet Psychiatry, it has been suggested that there is a link with the mother’s state of mind in her pregnancy and behavioural and psychological problems experienced by the child after birth. Unlike studies of this nature in the past, this recent work focused not on high income countries, but rather low to middle income countries.
There are significant implications to this study. If we are to look at the radicalisation of young men and women, it is logical to wonder if their mental state is a key component to the radicalisation. The countries where many of these young people come from would certainly fall in the low to middle income bracket. And due to the socioeconomic circumstance in these areas brought about by poverty and war, it would be a fair assertion to say that mothers in these nations would be inclined to be depressed. The link becomes something not to be ignored.
Perhaps, society needs to look at what assistance in mental health we can offer to these nations, in addition of course, to physical health and economic assistance. I believe this is an important piece of research which will have implications far outside of the consulting room.
