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

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24.03.2026

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

Whether it’s you or a colleague who is experiencing the condition, here’s how to handle it sensitively and wisely

[Photo: Drazen Zigic/FreePik]

Jessica Wilen, Ph.D is an executive coach and the founder of A Cup of Ambition, a popular newsletter about working parenthood, the psychology of work, and women in leadership.

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........

© Fast Company