Asher Makeba Speaks On Postpartum Depression and Losing Her Mother Betty Wright

Photo courtesy of Asher Makeba/ ashermakeba.com

Singer and songwriter Asher Makeba discussed postpartum depression and the loss of her mother, singer Betty Wright, during the Take Each Moment Podcast on Monday.

The singer/songwriter has four children, ages 2, 6, 8 and 13. She said she suffered from depression when she had her first child but didn’t realize what was happening until she began “spazzing out on people,” and crying every day. Makeba also suffered from postpartum depression with her youngest child.

The “Like I Do,” singer said that she began feeling depressed about one month after giving birth.

“I just completely stopped doing things that gave me some kind of fulfillment,” she said. “But I was still living in the house with my mother, and she was a great help to me with my baby,” she said of Wright.

The singer added that her brain would tell her to be unhappy. “I wanna be happy, but something is telling me I shouldn’t be happy,” said Makeba.

Makeba said she decided to get help after her husband said she needed to see someone. The couple reached out to a medical professional online, and Makeba credits counseling for helping her return to herself.

The singer also spoke about losing her mom, Betty Wright. Makeba said that mothering without her mother is a big deal.

“I have been in total shock since the day it happened,” said Makeba. R & B singer and icon Betty Wright died at the age of 66 of cancer on Mother’s Day in 2020. She also lost her father, Jamaican songwriter and producer Noel Williams, five years earlier.

Makeba said that she will try to be happy this Mother’s Day despite missing her mom.

“On Mother’s Day, I plan to not be sad. We prepare to be sad. People brace themselves for their wedding day. Like, ‘it’s gonna be the best day of my life!’ So I’ve been bracing myself, but not for sadness,” said Makeba.