Sarwat Gilani, a renowned actress in the Pakistani entertainment industry, has called for increased awareness and open discussions about postpartum depression (PPD) in Pakistan.

During a recent appearance on a popular TV program, Gilani shared her personal experience with PPD, stressing the emotional and psychological challenges women face after childbirth.

She pointed out that despite being a common condition, PPD often goes unnoticed or unaddressed due to the lack of public knowledge and the social stigma surrounding mental health in the country.

Gilani revealed that after giving birth to her third child, she began experiencing severe symptoms of postpartum depression, which included feelings of panic, difficulty breathing, constant intrusive thoughts, and a deep sense of unease regarding her newborn.

She highlighted that mental health issues like PPD are not visible and often remain misunderstood, even though they are real, complex, and can be life-threatening if not addressed in a timely manner.

In her emotional account, Sarwat Gilani explained how, despite the lack of visible symptoms, postpartum depression profoundly affected her mental well-being and daily life.

She emphasized that such conditions are often dismissed or ignored because they don’t manifest physically.

Sarwat Gilani urged people to recognize that mental health struggles are just as real as physical ones, and that a lack of support can make things worse.

Sarwat Gilani appealed to parents, families, and society at large to take the early signs of postpartum depression seriously.

She encouraged those affected by the condition to seek both emotional and medical support. Sharing her own experience, Gilani mentioned how her husband’s understanding and support helped her during this challenging time.

She emphasized that with the right care and information, many women could recover from PPD and return to a normal, healthy state of mind.

In an emotional moment, Gilani recalled her time in the hospital when she found herself thinking about how her problems would end if she could simply abandon her newborn daughter. “But no mother would ever want to do such a thing to her child; it’s an illness,” she said, emphasizing that postpartum depression is a medical condition, not a personal failure.

Experts agree that postpartum depression is more common than many realize and that timely recognition and treatment can significantly improve a woman’s quality of life and well-being.

They stress the importance of social support, medical counseling, and access to mental health resources to help women cope with this condition.

Experts also highlight that a lack of awareness and the social stigma surrounding mental health issues often prevent women from seeking the help they need.