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Women’s Mental Health

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

Maternal mental health

Maternal mental health covers pregnancy and the first year post-pregnancy (post-partum). Around 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women who have just given birth experience a diagnosable mental health problem (WHO, 2019). Early intervention and support are essential during this period.

Detailed information on maternal mental health can be founded here.

 

Perinatal mental health

Perinatal mental health conditions can occur during pregnancy and delivery. The prevalence rate of common mental disorders among pregnant women ranges from 1%–37% (Jha, Salve, Goswami, Sagar & Kant, 2018).

Women during pregnancy experience significant hormonal changes and physical changes in their bodies, as well as emotional changes that come with adjusting to the idea of pregnancy and motherhood. On top of that, risk factors, such as poor physical health, unplanned pregnancy, limited social support, or low socioeconomic status, are likely to heighten the risk of developing a perinatal mental health problem for pregnant women.

Common perinatal mental health problems include perinatal anxiety and depression. 54% and 37.1% of women experienced perinatal anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively, in at least one antenatal assessment in Hong Kong. Perinatal anxiety and depression also increase the risk of postpartum depression (Lee et al., 2007). Some mothers may also experience perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during their pregnancy. Early intervention is vital to protect the health of both mother and infant.

Some risk factors of developing a perinatal mental health problem include:

  • History of mental health problems
  • Younger mothers
  • Poor physical health
  • Unemployment
  • Limited or no social support
  • Low socioeconomic status
  • Experience stressful life events
  • Poor marital satisfaction
  • Carrying their first child or an unplanned pregnancy
  • History of abuse or neglect

 

Postpartum mental health

After giving birth, it can be common for mothers to experience a period of postpartum blues (also known as “baby blues”) – which include symptoms such as feeling emotional, irritable, tearful and restless. Baby blues usually last from a few days to two weeks. This is extremely common, affecting up to 85% of women (Northwestern Medicine, 2019) and will often resolve on its own.

However, some newborn mothers will experience more persistent difficulties with their mood,  which may indicate that they are experiencing postpartum depression. This usually happens 6 weeks to a year after giving birth. Around 13% of newborn mothers will be affected by postpartum depression worldwide (WHO, 2019). Early intervention and social support from a partner, friends and family have been found to be effective in improving symptoms.

Some symptoms of postpartum depression may include:

  • Feeling down, upset or tearful
  • Feeling restless, agitated or irritable
  • Guilt, worthlessness and feeling down about yourself
  • Feeling empty and numb
  • Isolated and unable to relate to other people
  • Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
  • A sense of unreality
  • No self-confidence or self-esteem
  • Hopelessness and despair
  • Hostile or indifferent to your partner
  • Hostile or indifferent to your baby
  • Suicidal feelings

You might find yourself:

  • Losing concentration
  • Finding it hard to sleep, even when you have the chance
  • Having a reduced appetite
  • Lacking interest in sex

Learn more about postpartum depression here.

Postpartum psychosis affects around 1-2 out of 1,000 mothers. The symptoms usually occur within 2 weeks after birth (Postpartum support international).

If you are experiencing postpartum psychosis, it is likely that you may experience a mix of symptoms of psychosis, depression and mania, which may include some of the followings:

  • Excited or elated
  • Severely depressed
  • Rapid mood changes
  • Confused or disoriented
  • Restless
  • Unable to sleep, even when you have the chance
  • Unable to concentrate
  • Delusion – strong beliefs that other people don’t share such as you are being followed, or your thoughts are being read
  • Hallucinations – when you experience things that others around you don’t

Learn more about postpartum psychosis here.

 

Stillbirth and miscarriage

The loss of a child, no matter how early, is never forgotten – this holds true for both parents. For women, the bond you have formed with the baby during pregnancy can make this loss even more difficult to process. Complicated emotions may arise — you may feel helpless, regretful, or even blame yourself. Please remember that it takes time to recover, and it is vital to recognise the impact of the loss.

As a partner, friend or family member, you can support a woman going through the loss of a baby through:

  • The recognition of the enormity of their loss
  • Listening to them, and respecting their feelings and beliefs
  • Providing practical support, such as meals
  • Providing an adequate time and place to grieve

Support from a partner, friends and family is crucial to coping with the experience of losing a child. Seeking professional help when necessary can also be helpful.

 

Parental mental health

  • 32.5% of mothers of children aged 0-12 years old reported reaching at-risk levels of mental health stress; 65% reported feeling stress, of which 73% were working mums with a full-time/part-time job (HKCECS, 2017).
  • 85% of mothers felt worried and frustrated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those, 67% were working moms. Respondents mainly reported worry about the health of their family, children’s education, and financial burden. Friction between parents and children also added to feeling stressed and depressed (HKCTU, 2020). The burden on mothers may be particularly significant, as they are often seen as the primary caregivers to children.
  • Restrictions and school suspension due to COVID have added to the burden for working mums – 68% of working mums felt that working and taking care of their children at the same time have doubled their stress, and almost 60% of them would rather work in the office to ease the stress. (AXA, 2021). The lack of boundaries between work and home lives have taken its toll on the mental health of working mums.

In one study, working mums were found to be 40% more stressed than women without kids (Chandola et al., 2019). The new role and responsibilities that come with caring for a new member of the family, the time taken for these commitments, alongside common workplace stressors, are likely to amplify the stress experienced by working mums. Read more about the common stressors and ways to manage mental health for working mums here.

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What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 16 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

Maternal mental health

Maternal mental health

Maternal mental health covers pregnancy and the first year post-pregnancy (post-partum). Around 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women who have just given birth experience a diagnosable mental health problem (WHO, 2019). Early intervention and support are essential during this period.

Detailed information on maternal mental health can be founded here.

 

Perinatal mental health

Perinatal mental health conditions can occur during pregnancy and delivery. The prevalence rate of common mental disorders among pregnant women ranges from 1%–37% (Jha, Salve, Goswami, Sagar & Kant, 2018).

Women during pregnancy experience significant hormonal changes and physical changes in their bodies, as well as emotional changes that come with adjusting to the idea of pregnancy and motherhood. On top of that, risk factors, such as poor physical health, unplanned pregnancy, limited social support, or low socioeconomic status, are likely to heighten the risk of developing a perinatal mental health problem for pregnant women.

Common perinatal mental health problems include perinatal anxiety and depression. 54% and 37.1% of women experienced perinatal anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively, in at least one antenatal assessment in Hong Kong. Perinatal anxiety and depression also increase the risk of postpartum depression (Lee et al., 2007). Some mothers may also experience perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during their pregnancy. Early intervention is vital to protect the health of both mother and infant.

Some risk factors of developing a perinatal mental health problem include:

  • History of mental health problems
  • Younger mothers
  • Poor physical health
  • Unemployment
  • Limited or no social support
  • Low socioeconomic status
  • Experience stressful life events
  • Poor marital satisfaction
  • Carrying their first child or an unplanned pregnancy
  • History of abuse or neglect

 

Postpartum mental health

After giving birth, it can be common for mothers to experience a period of postpartum blues (also known as "baby blues") - which include symptoms such as feeling emotional, irritable, tearful and restless. Baby blues usually last from a few days to two weeks. This is extremely common, affecting up to 85% of women (Northwestern Medicine, 2019) and will often resolve on its own.

However, some newborn mothers will experience more persistent difficulties with their mood,  which may indicate that they are experiencing postpartum depression. This usually happens 6 weeks to a year after giving birth. Around 13% of newborn mothers will be affected by postpartum depression worldwide (WHO, 2019). Early intervention and social support from a partner, friends and family have been found to be effective in improving symptoms.

Some symptoms of postpartum depression may include:

  • Feeling down, upset or tearful
  • Feeling restless, agitated or irritable
  • Guilt, worthlessness and feeling down about yourself
  • Feeling empty and numb
  • Isolated and unable to relate to other people
  • Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
  • A sense of unreality
  • No self-confidence or self-esteem
  • Hopelessness and despair
  • Hostile or indifferent to your partner
  • Hostile or indifferent to your baby
  • Suicidal feelings

You might find yourself:

  • Losing concentration
  • Finding it hard to sleep, even when you have the chance
  • Having a reduced appetite
  • Lacking interest in sex

Learn more about postpartum depression here.

Postpartum psychosis affects around 1-2 out of 1,000 mothers. The symptoms usually occur within 2 weeks after birth (Postpartum support international).

If you are experiencing postpartum psychosis, it is likely that you may experience a mix of symptoms of psychosis, depression and mania, which may include some of the followings:

  • Excited or elated
  • Severely depressed
  • Rapid mood changes
  • Confused or disoriented
  • Restless
  • Unable to sleep, even when you have the chance
  • Unable to concentrate
  • Delusion - strong beliefs that other people don’t share such as you are being followed, or your thoughts are being read
  • Hallucinations - when you experience things that others around you don’t

Learn more about postpartum psychosis here.

 

Stillbirth and miscarriage

The loss of a child, no matter how early, is never forgotten - this holds true for both parents. For women, the bond you have formed with the baby during pregnancy can make this loss even more difficult to process. Complicated emotions may arise -- you may feel helpless, regretful, or even blame yourself. Please remember that it takes time to recover, and it is vital to recognise the impact of the loss.

As a partner, friend or family member, you can support a woman going through the loss of a baby through:

  • The recognition of the enormity of their loss
  • Listening to them, and respecting their feelings and beliefs
  • Providing practical support, such as meals
  • Providing an adequate time and place to grieve

Support from a partner, friends and family is crucial to coping with the experience of losing a child. Seeking professional help when necessary can also be helpful.

 

Parental mental health

  • 32.5% of mothers of children aged 0-12 years old reported reaching at-risk levels of mental health stress; 65% reported feeling stress, of which 73% were working mums with a full-time/part-time job (HKCECS, 2017).
  • 85% of mothers felt worried and frustrated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those, 67% were working moms. Respondents mainly reported worry about the health of their family, children's education, and financial burden. Friction between parents and children also added to feeling stressed and depressed (HKCTU, 2020). The burden on mothers may be particularly significant, as they are often seen as the primary caregivers to children.
  • Restrictions and school suspension due to COVID have added to the burden for working mums - 68% of working mums felt that working and taking care of their children at the same time have doubled their stress, and almost 60% of them would rather work in the office to ease the stress. (AXA, 2021). The lack of boundaries between work and home lives have taken its toll on the mental health of working mums.

In one study, working mums were found to be 40% more stressed than women without kids (Chandola et al., 2019). The new role and responsibilities that come with caring for a new member of the family, the time taken for these commitments, alongside common workplace stressors, are likely to amplify the stress experienced by working mums. Read more about the common stressors and ways to manage mental health for working mums here.