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

Mom baby in arms looking at sunset

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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 counselling 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.
 
Providers Contact
Hospital Authority Mental Health Direct 2466 7350
Social Welfare Department 24-Hour Hotline 2343 2255
The Samaritan Befrienders 24-hour Hotline 2896 0000
Suicide Prevention Services 24-hour Hotline 2382 0000

 

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:
 
Clinics Contact
Central Health Medical Practice 2824 0822
Central Minds  2813 6108
Integrated Medicine Institute 2523 7121
MindnLife 2521 4668
OT&P Healthcare 2155 9055
   
   
 
 

 

Looking for health insurance? Want to better understand your current plan or healthcare options in Hong Kong? Contact our partner AD MediLink now at [email protected] or +852 2296 9773 for expert and unbiased advice. Their advisors are uniquely trained on the Hong Kong healthcare system to answer all your questions; on both the public and private sectors.

This article was independently written by Healthy Matters and not sponsored. It is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.