Sixty-seven per cent of women who joined “Mama Talanoa” reported experiencing loneliness after childbirth.
The figure was shared by Mama Talanoa founder Mercedes Swann, who created the free, peer-led online platform to support new and expecting Pacific mothers, particularly those navigating motherhood without traditional community support.
Ms Swann said this revelation highlighted the postpartum mental health struggles among Fijian mothers. This also marks the most recent data we have currently in the country for postpartum depression.
“When people sign up for Mama Talanoa, these mums have to fill out where they’re from and what stage of motherhood they’re in, whether they’re pregnant or postpartum,” Ms Swann said.
“I ask them what they hope to gain from the support group, and many of them answered that they wanted connection and community.”
According to Ms Swann, 67 per cent of those surveyed cited loneliness or a lack of support as their primary reason for joining.
“Most of the mums who signed up are from Fiji, so I would say it is a big issue amongst the Fijian moms.
“But there are also women from the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Fijians living abroad.”
Ms Swann said Fijian mothers overseas were particularly vulnerable, as many were raising children far from extended family or the traditional village-based support systems they might have had in Fiji.
“These women are especially isolated. They don’t have the support from their mothers or in-laws, and they’re doing motherhood all alone.”
Ms Swann says the demand for Mama Talanoa continues to grow, reflecting a deeper need for culturally appropriate and accessible mental health resources for Pacific mothers, both locally and in the diaspora.
