Postpartum depression isn’t just a private struggle. It can show up at work, too

Postpartum depression is often framed as a private struggle that unfolds at home or in the doctor’s office. But for millions of working parents, its effects also show up quietly at work—through missed deadlines, sudden disengagement, or a colleague who no longer seems like themselves. Too often, these changes are misunderstood as performance issues rather than signs of a common and treatable mental health condition. To better understand what employers, managers, and coworkers often miss—and how workplaces can respond more thoughtfully—I spoke with Andrea Clark, deputy CEO of Postpartum Support International, a global nonprofit focused on supporting families and raising awareness about perinatal mental health disorders. In our conversation, Clark explains how postpartum mood disorders can appear in professional settings, what supportive leadership actually looks like, and why truly family-centered workplaces must consider the mental health of both birthing and non-birthing parents. Many