Half of Cyprus’s new mothers report depression and anxiety symptoms, study finds

The country’s first nationwide study is prompting calls for routine screening, clearer referral pathways and earlier support during pregnancy and after birth.

Researchers at the Cyprus University of Technology say a first nationwide study has found that around half of new mothers in Cyprus reported symptoms of depression and anxiety serious enough to warrant further assessment, underscoring what specialists describe as a gap in support during pregnancy and after birth.

The findings, presented in Nicosia on 14 and 15 October to about 80 health professionals, were based on questionnaires completed by 474 mothers and focus groups exploring their experiences of early motherhood. The same survey also found that roughly one in two respondents described childbirth as “painful”. The team stressed that the figures point to symptoms requiring evaluation, not necessarily diagnosed mental illness, but said their frequency raises concerns about whether women are being identified and helped quickly enough.

The study forms part of Mind the Mum, a European project led by the Cyprus University of Technology and co-funded by the European Union through the EU4Health programme. Running from 2024 to 2027, the project is gathering data on perinatal mental health in Cyprus and Slovenia. Associate professor of midwifery Eleni Hadjigeorgiou is the scientific co-ordinator, and the research team says it is now developing evidence-based recommendations for bringing perinatal mental health more firmly into primary and secondary care.

Among the measures the study calls for are routine screening during pregnancy and after birth, clear referral pathways to the right services and earlier intervention when problems emerge. It also says support should not be limited to isolated appointments, but should involve family members, a mother’s wider support network and the professionals involved in her care. During the conference, speakers also highlighted the need for continued training for health workers and stronger psychological support for mothers, including while breastfeeding. A free preparation programme for expectant mothers is already being run across the country by the university and Birth Forward, with organisers hoping it can eventually be used more widely as a prevention tool.