Maarga Mind Care has introduced its Integrated Maternal Mental Health Program along with the launch of Maarga Divasa – an Integrated Day Care Program. The programs aim at addressing the emotional, psychological, and behavioral aspects of mothers during various stages of motherhood.
The launch comes at a time when maternal mental health is increasingly being recognised as a critical public health issue. A landmark 2025 study published in The Lancet Psychiatry, analysing data from nearly two million women and girls across 90 countries, found that 1 in every 15 mothers develops major depressive disorder within the first year after childbirth. In India and other low- and middle-income countries, the burden is even greater, with nearly 1 in 5 women estimated to experience postpartum depression. Despite this, maternal mental health conditions remain significantly under-recognised and under-treated, underscoring the need for integrated care models such as Maarga Divasa.
The program was unveiled alongside an expert-led lecture on “The Shortcomings in Management of Mental Health for Women During Preparation for Motherhood and the Postpartum Period,” which examined persistent gaps in awareness, diagnosis, and access to care.
Dr. Jothi Neeraja, Founder, Chairwoman & MD, 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.”
Addressing the audience at the event, Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist & Addiction Psychiatrist, Maarga Mind Care, said, “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 when dealing with her newborn child. Assistance for psychological conditions should be provided during pregnancy as well as postpartum.”
The introduction of Maarga Divasa and the Integrated Maternal Mental Health program signals a move towards bridging key deficiencies in the field of mental healthcare for mothers. Maarga Mind Care will aim to establish an environment that is compassionate and interconnected, where mothers are given the attention they require from pre-birth, throughout pregnancy, until after their baby’s birth.
