2002 International International Biennial Scientific Meeting

HEALTH WAIKATO'S EARLY INTERVENTION MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE

Jacqui Coates-Harris

Early Intervention Maternal Mental Health Service, Health Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

coateshj.wdhb@xtra.co.nz

Postnatal depression (PND) is a major public health concern affecting approximately one in seven women after childbirth. PND causes a wide range of biopsychosocial complications impacting on the mother, father, the baby, and their families, thus on society itself. Apart from the adverse consequences developing depression during antenatal and postnatal periods, mental illness in these women can have possible negative impact on the relationship between mother and child and as a consequence, on the child's emotional, behavioral and cognitive development.

About 50% of postnatal depression cases go undetected. Treatment facilities in New Zealand are often focused at providing interventions at the tertiary level. Using primary and secondary levels of service focused on prevention, early detection and treatment, enables determination and modification of high risk factors, provides crucial early intervention, thus minimising the impact on mental illness on the mother, her baby and family. Health Waikato's new Early Intervention Maternal Mental Health service was developed to provide a service at this level, with the major emphasis being, early detection, intervention and prevention of ante and postnatal disorders.

Key aspects of this service include, comprehensive clinical assessments, short term intervention and service brokerage, consultation -liaison, (covering all aspects of maternal mental health), education and training, (to primary, secondary and tertiary providers), development and facilitation of various groups, and a "one stop shop" information and resource centre for issues related to maternal mental health.

This paper will outline why and how this service is unique in its ability to intervene at the earliest opportunity therefore decreasing the potential severity of mental unwellness, lessening the need for tertiary services, and enhancing the positive well-being of mothers as well as children, thus addressing the wider public health and societal issue.