Referral service helps mothers cope with post-natal depression
A referral service offered by hospitals in New Territories West has helped hundreds of mothers cope with the dangers of post-natal depression.
Under the service, which was launched in 2006, mothers are asked to fill in a questionnaire on post-natal depression when they take their children for check-ups at maternal and child health centres. Those who score more than 13 out of 30 are referred to a psychiatric nurse at the centre. They may be further referred to a hospital psychiatrist. Those who score 10 to 12 undergo an assessment by centre staff.
Dr Bonnie Siu Wei-man, an associate consultant of psychiatry at Castle Peak Hospital, said the measure identified post-natal depression at an earlier stage.
'Most women will not seek help until the situation goes very wrong. They are also afraid of seeking help from a psychiatrist, thus being labelled a mental patient,' she said.
Among 114 women who sought treatment for post-natal depression at Tuen Mun Hospital's specialist outpatient clinic between July and December 2008, 85 per cent were referred by the maternal health centres.
Siu said those who were referred were more prone to increased irritability, but they were less likely to commit suicide or harm their babies.
'With the help of the new service we are able to identify and treat post-natal depression cases without letting them aggravate any further.'
A total of 1,350 women have been referred from the health centres to the specialist clinic since the service was launched. The total last year was 434, up from 408 in 2008 and 370 in 2007.
A similar referral service is also available in Kowloon East and Kowloon West hospital groups.
May, who is in her 30s, suffered post-natal depression after her first son was born nine years ago. She was referred to Tuen Mun Hospital in 2007.
'Back then I did not know why I scolded my son so much. I would throw things and beat my son even when he just made a minor mistake,' she said, adding she also tried to hurt herself by crossing the road when the lights were on red.
She said her condition greatly improved after being referred to a psychiatrist. She now knows that instead of throwing a tantrum it is better to talk to her two sons, now aged nine and six. 'I feel I have totally changed. I am a much happier person now.'
