A recent study conducted by the international NGO Make Mothers Matter, set to be presented at the European Parliament on Monday, reveals alarming mental health statistics among Spanish mothers. According to the survey, fifty-seven per cent of mothers in Spain reported issues with mental health, significantly higher than the fifty per cent average across the European Union. Notably, seventeen per cent of mothers with infants experienced postpartum depression.

The survey, which involved nine thousand six hundred mothers across various European countries, found that eighty per cent of Spanish mothers feel mentally overloaded, compared to the seventy per cent average across Europe. The data indicates a significant disparity in how mothers perceive their responsibilities and recognition in society, with only fifty-three per cent feeling acknowledged for their role as a mother.

The report highlights the excessive burden of domestic and labour tasks on mothers in Spain, with sixty-four per cent of household chores still undertaken by them. Many mothers expressed a desire for more flexible work environments, with thirty per cent changing jobs to spend more time with their children. The survey results demonstrate a clear need for improved social policies to enhance support for maternal mental health and better work-life balance.

Key recommendations include increased investment in mental health support for mothers, more equitable distribution of unpaid domestic labour, and adaptations in the workplace to accommodate family responsibilities. The findings of this study are part of a growing conversation about the importance of re-evaluating motherhood in society and ensuring mothers receive the support they need.