S. Sathiya Preethi Principal, Department Psychiatric Nursing, Babu Ram Chandra Singh Institute of Nursing and Paramedical, Parokh, Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, India
Address for correspondence: S. Sathiya Preethi, Principal, Department Psychiatric Nursing, Babu Ram Chandra Singh Institute of Nursing and Paramedical, Parokh, Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, India E-mail: sathiyapreethi58@gmail.com
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S. Sathiya Preethi. Nursing Management of Postpartum Depression among New Mothers. J Psychiatr Nurs. 2026; 15(2): 97–102.
Timeline
Received : May 16, 2026
Accepted : June 20, 2026
Published : August 30, 2026
Abstract
Postpartum depression is a common mental health condition that affects women after childbirth and has a significant impact on maternal and infant well-being. Emotional disturbances during the postpartum period may interfere with a mother’s ability to care for herself and her newborn. The condition often remains unnoticed because many mothers hesitate to express their feelings due to fear, stigma, or lack of awareness. Nurses play a major role in identifying symptoms early, providing emotional support, educating family members, and ensuring appropriate treatment and follow-up care. Effective nursing management can improve the mental health of mothers and strengthen healthy bonding between mother and child. This article discusses the causes, clinical manifestations, risk factors, assessment methods, and nursing interventions related to postpartum depression among new mothers. The importance of counseling, family support, and community awareness is also highlighted.
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Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest in this work.
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Cite this article
S. Sathiya Preethi. Nursing Management of Postpartum Depression among New Mothers. J Psychiatr Nurs. 2026; 15(2): 97–102.
This license enables
reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium
or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is
given to the creator.
This license enables
reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium
or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is
given to the creator.