KARACHI – Renowned actress Sarwat Gilani on Thursday called for increased public awareness about postpartum depression in Pakistan, urging families to recognize and support women experiencing the condition.
Speaking on a television program, Gilani opened up about her personal struggle with postpartum depression following the birth of her third child. She shared that she experienced symptoms such as anxiety, shortness of breath, recurring distressing thoughts, and panic attacks.
“Mental health issues are often invisible, which is why people tend to ignore them,” the actress said. “But these are real and serious conditions that require compassion and treatment.”
Gilani appealed to families, especially husbands and parents, to take early symptoms seriously and provide both emotional and medical assistance to affected women. She credited her husband’s understanding and support as a key factor in her recovery, emphasizing that awareness and proper care can greatly improve women’s mental health outcomes.
Recalling one of her darkest moments, Gilani said she once thought that throwing away her newborn daughter might end her suffering. “No mother wants to harm her child — it’s not her choice. This is an illness, not a weakness,” she said.
Mental health experts agree that postpartum depression is a common but treatable condition. They stress that timely diagnosis, therapy, and family support can save lives, and called for improved access to mental health services and counseling facilities across the country.
Sarwat Gillani reveals her experience with postpartum depression
