An unspoken crisis shadows those embracing motherhood: perinatal mental health. The World Health Organisation reveals that nearly 1 in 5 women battle mental health challenges during pregnancy and postpartum. These struggles impact not only mothers, but the very foundation of their children’s futures and our society. Malaysia cannot afford to overlook this critical need.

In conjunction with World Health Day 2025, celebrated on 7 April 2025, there is a pressing need for Malaysia to champion a healthier environment for both mothers and newborns.

What Does Malaysia Stand to Gain?

A 2011 systematic review reveals that maternal mental health disorders are more common in low- to middle-income countries where mental healthcare access is limited.

Beyond genetic, psychological, biological, and environmental factors that impact our mental wellbeing, cultural factors also play a role in influencing a woman’s experience of perinatal mental health issues. This is especially prominent in Malaysia, where a strong stigma surrounding mental health conditions and the pressure of societal expectations are prevalent.

A study by the London School of Economics shows that integrating mental healthcare into maternal and child healthcare could lead to an increase in quality of life, alongside financial savings of up to £26.6 million over 10 years for otherwise required healthcare.

Should Malaysia adopt the same approach, the nation could see similar long-term gains and benefits across the board: lower healthcare costs, improved workforce retention, and better childhood developmental outcomes. These can directly contribute to a stronger economic environment and greater career prospects for Malaysians.

Bridging the Gap through Research and Education

Academic institutions play a crucial role in addressing the gap in perinatal mental healthcare. With thorough and collaborative research that considers Malaysia’s cultural context and values, academicians and researchers can provide data-backed recommendations to inform public policy.

For example, University of Nottingham Malaysia’s School of Psychology has active collaborations with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, as well as the Royal Malaysia Police to advance human development and mental health research.

However, research alone is not enough to bridge the gap; it must be coupled with practical interventions that support new mothers in managing mental health challenges. Protective factors such as supportive social networks and access to good prenatal care and psychological intervention are key in mitigating the negative effects of prenatal mental health issues. Psychological intervention in particular, has proven to be safe, effective, and cost-efficient, yet it remains underutilised in many settings.

Academic institutions should, therefore, strive to ensure that research findings translate into practical solutions benefitting Malaysians on the ground. Education comes first; institutions should incorporate and prioritise maternal and child mental health modules in their health sciences curricula to ensure future professionals are equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to identify early signs of distress.

Additionally, we should provide practical learning opportunities beyond the classroom, encouraging psychology practicums in suburban and rural areas, to help students apply theory in real settings.

Increasing Mental Healthcare Accessibility with Technology and AI

There is a severe shortage of trained practitioner psychologists in Malaysia. Many choose to work in urban areas and in private practice, leaving suburban and rural communities largely unsupported in mental healthcare.

The conjunction of AI and technology with the field of mental healthcare can offer solutions in bridging this gap. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a marked increase in popularity and demand among childbearing women for telehealth services. Telehealth allows mothers in low-resource and low-mobility settings to access mental health professionals via videoconference consultations and interventions.

However, while current research suggests that AI-driven tools have the potential to enhance the identification and management of perinatal mental health conditions, concerns remain about the ethical use of patient information. Effective AI systems also rely heavily on unbiased and culturally sensitive data for optimised performance; if these systems are not carefully monitored, misdiagnoses can occur – especially among the less informed – leading to further healthcare disparities.

The Way Forward

Protecting the holistic health of Malaysian mothers is synonymous with protecting the future of Malaysian society. Educational institutions are pivotal in bridging the gap by encouraging more research and data to fuel impactful public policies.

Meanwhile, private sector players must work in tandem with government and educational institution efforts to provide stronger maternal well-being support through workplace policies.

Through sustained efforts in building awareness and strengthening support for mothers and children, we can continue to destigmatise mental health and make support and resources widely accessible for all layers of Malaysian society.

-- BERNAMA

Dr Chung Kai Li is Head of the School of Psychology and Associate Professor at University of Nottingham Malaysia.