Postpartum Depression (PPD) & Postnatal Mental Health in Hong Kong: Where to Go

Overcoming the challenges of new motherhood is not easy. Mental health challenges are common in the first few weeks and months of the postpartum period. In Hong Kong, 40% to 80% of women will experience the "baby blues" and 10% will experience postpartum depression (PPD). This is a guide to public and private providers of postpartum mental health care in Hong Kong.

Getting timely help for any postpartum depression (PPD) will go a long way to prevent any long-term impacts.

Public or free-of-charge postpartum mental health providers

In the public system, you will be assessed for PPD using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) by your Maternal Health and Child Centre (MCHC) nurse. After initial counseling by the MCHC nurse, if you are assessed as requiring additional support you will be referred to a social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist trained in PPD.

Private postpartum mental health providers

You will be assessed for PPD using either the EPDS or the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale by your obstetrician (OB), general practitioner (GP) or midwife. In the private system, you can either get a referral from your OB or GP or you can self-refer to psychological services.

The following providers offer mental health services in English: