The birth of a child is a source of much joy and celebration. However, not many people realize that the mother could often be suffering from postpartum depression that could hamper her from bonding with her child and enjoying motherhood. A Malayalam music video called ‘Janaya’ sheds light on how postpartum depression affects new mothers in a touching manner.
The video opens with a young couple entering their family home, with the mother cradling her infant. While there is much joy, with photo ops with family members, the young mother does not share the same enthusiasm as the rest. In other montages, she seems aloof, reclusive almost. She’s seen crying in the bathroom and while her husband knocks on the door, he finally suspects something is up and takes her to see the doctor. The video ends with the mother smiling, and happier clearly having sought help. It also reveals that 1 in 7 moms suffer from postpartum depression.
The director of the video, Anand Anilkumar, revealed to a news website saying he got the inspiration for the video from his wife Sony Sunil. “She knew some friends who have gone through it. In most cases, people brush it off as something silly. Few knew the seriousness of what the women – the new mothers – go through.” He added that the title of the video was a conscious one, saying ‘jananya’ means earth. “We wanted to keep a name which represents motherhood.”
About the video he says, “We leave it to the viewer’s imagination on how to interpret it. What we meant, however, is that in one case, the woman does not have family support and in the other case, she does. In most cases, women can overcome postpartum depression with the support of the husband and family.”
The team took the concept to Mom Premium Women’s Hospital (CIMAR) in Kochi, who agreed to produce it.
Postpartum depression is something that is not widely recognized in Indian households and the video helps shed light on the fact that the husband should be vigilant and that timely treatment can save the mother.
Image credit: iStock
