Global Maternal & Child Health
Centering Women's Voices in Postpartum Mental Health and Disaster Response Across Nepal
Postpartum Depression Among Nepali Women
Many studies on postpartum depression (PPD) focus on epidemiology and etiology. Few have focused on PPD from an anthropological perspective. The way women experience, understand, and speak about mental health varies across cultures, making it difficult to diagnose using standard methods developed with Western definitions and constructions of depression. In many cultures, terminology around PPD and mental health has not been fully operationalized, so the concept may be unfamiliar to women or even care providers. Therefore, it is crucial that social diseases such as PPD and mental health are studied within the context of the local population before making attempts to diagnose prevalence rates using methods developed by and for Western understandings of depression.
This study used an anthropological approach to understand constructions of maternal mental health and PPD in the context of Nepal in order to (1) address and contextualize the discrepancies in previous research surrounding postnatal depression, (2) identify the nuanced and colloquial idioms of distress and suffering used to experience and express mental health among women and between healthcare providers in Nepal, and (3) develop culturally-grounded pathways for maternal mental health support and intervention.
Objectives
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Understand cultural contexts shaping postpartum mental health
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Identify local idioms of distress used by women and providers
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Address discrepancies in previous research on postnatal depression
Methods
Study Population
Skills Developed
Lessons Learned: 2015 Nepal Earthquakes
Pregnant women are considered particularly vulnerable during natural disasters because they have special healthcare needs and are at an increased risk of pregnancy complications resulting from a negative change in environment. This study explored the experience of pregnant women in remote, rural settings immediately following the April and May 2015 earthquakes in Nepal. Staff from a locally-run INGO focused on maternal and neonatal health, One Heart World-Wide, conducted this study to assess: (1) key concerns among pregnant women immediately following the earthquakes, (2) resource allocation and access to health services, and (3) collaboration efforts among government, NGOs, and the community for earthquake response.
Findings revealed that key concerns and immediate needs for pregnant women revolved around access to food and adequate shelter. In addition, although a cluster method approach was implemented by district health offices, there was an unequal distribution of earthquake relief resources and aid throughout the districts, likely related to challenges in communication and coordinating aid efforts between donor organizations and district- and community-level representatives.
Key Research Areas
Pregnant Women's Immediate Needs
Assessing key concerns among pregnant women following the earthquakes—access to food, adequate shelter, and continuity of maternal healthcare in disrupted rural settings.
Resource Allocation & Access
Evaluating the distribution of earthquake relief resources and access to health services across districts, revealing unequal allocation patterns in remote areas.
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
Examining collaboration efforts among government, NGOs, and community representatives during disaster response—and the communication challenges that hindered coordination.
Lessons for Future Preparedness
Identifying gaps in disaster response frameworks that fail to account for the specific needs of pregnant women, and building evidence for improved maternal health emergency protocols.
Study Population
Methodology
Organization
Skills Developed
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© 2026 Alisha Giri