Remarks

• This recommendation has been integrated from the 2020 Improving early childhood development: WHO guideline (238), where it was considered a strong recommendation based on moderate-certainty evidence.
• The postnatal care Guideline Development Group noted the following based on the original guideline.
• Psychosocial interventions for common mental disorders in the postpartum period (depression and anxiety) should be provided (see Recommendations 18 and 19 in this guideline). These include routine enquiry about the mother’s mental health and social well-being, and psychosocial support as part of every postnatal consultation, combined with referral to a skilled provider for conditions that require more intensive support, through strategies such as psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy. Early childhood learning and postnatal services are important avenues to provide interventions for the prevention and treatment of maternal mental health conditions.
• In addition, fathers/partners/caregivers should also be included in such interventions in order to target relevant risk factors for maternal and child health (e.g. intimate partner violence and lack of involvement of fathers in parental care) (see Recommendation 52 in this guideline).