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

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.