PND-3

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INTRODUCTION
Joyful Beginnings aims to raise awareness of Postnatal
Depression and to promote the importance of
support that a mother should receive after giving birth
so as to achieve mental wellness. There are three pillars
of support a mother can tap into: 1) Partner, 2) Family,
and 3) Community (such as hospitals, support groups
and fellow mothers). We believe that having a strong
support system will enable a mother to tide through
the postnatal period well.
This booklet was created to provide useful information
of Postnatal Depression and to communicate these
messages of support. Parents can also find out what
they can do to maintain their mental well-being during
the postnatal period.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Joyful Beginnings team would like to thank KK’s Women
and Children Hospital and National University Hospital in
supplementing us with content on postnatal depression and
support for our booklet, and New Mothers’ Support Group
(NMSG) for agreeing to an interview to understand more about
support groups.
The team will also like to extend their gratitude towards the
Community Health Assessment Team (CHAT) under the Institute
of Mental Health (IMH) for their guidance and assistance in
printing the booklets.
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CONTENTS

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WHAT IS POSTNATAL
DEPRESSION?
Postnatal Depression (PND) is a mood disorder that affects mothers after childbirth. Between 10 and 15%
of mothers who recently delivered will be affected by PND, ranging from mild to severe intensity, and usually
develops within the first 3 to 6 months after delivery (though it may have a delayed onset anytime during the
first year after delivery). If left untreated, it will affect not only the mother’s well-being, but also the emotional
and cognitive development of the child. PND causes mothers to see themselves as bad or unloving, making
it hard for them to care for their babies.
Pregnancy is a period that can bring on worrying changes in the psyche of a woman, as she navigates a
dramatic transition within herself. If there is inadequate support and help, it may be even harder for mothers
to adjust to the changes. In addition to that, the lack of sleep in the initial weeks and hormonal changes can
all be overwhelming.
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COMMON SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
• Low mood, tearfulness
• Irritability
• Poor sleep and appetite
• Loss of interest, confidence
• Feeling guilty for no good reason
• Feeling hopeless or even suicidal in severe
depression
Accompanying anxiety symptoms:
• Feeling tense, excessive worries
• Palpitations, feeling breathless, chest tightness
• Panic attacks - strong feelings of terror that
come suddenly
• Unpleasant thoughts about harm coming to
your baby or family
RISK FACTORS
Some risk factors for PND are:
• Marital discord
• Lack of social support
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Obsteric complications e.g. traumatic birth experience
• Infant health problems
• Hereditary causes - the women being at increased risk if her mother or sister have had PND
TREATMENT METHODS
With early recognition and treatment, chance of recovery from PND can be good. The goal for early detection and
treatment enables mothers to have a wonderful experience of caring for their baby.
SUPPORT AND COUNSELLING: Mild PND can be treated via support and counselling, which may be provided
by family physician, or family and friends. If your depression is at least of moderate severity, you should consult a
specialist for treatment.
MEDICATION: When the depression is more severe, medication may be required. The choice of medication will
take into consideration the possible side effects as well as your particular needs, especially your need to breastfeed.
If you are pregnant and have had depression during your last pregnancy, please seek early advice. If the previous
episode of depression has been particularly severe, you may consider taking prophylactic antidepressants as the
risk of a relapse during a subsequent pregnancy can be as high as 50%.
THERAPY: Psychological treatments such as interpersonal therapy which focuses on interpersonal relationships,
and cognitivebehavioural therapy which addresses faulty thinking and patterns of behaviour, can be considered.
SUPPORT GROUPS: Support groups provide an avenue for mothers to talk about their difficulties, learn coping
strategies from one another, and benefit from the realisation that they are not alone in this journey.
Reproduced with permission from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
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DO YOU KNOW?
6 MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS
“WOMEN WITH PND ARE SAD AND CRY CONSTANTLY.”
PND is not the same for all women. While some women do feel sad and cry
non-stop, others may feel numb, irritable, anxious or distress.
POSTNATAL BLUES
POST NATAL DEPRESSION
15%
80%
“POSTNATAL BLUES AND PND ARE THE SAME.”
Postnatal Blues are short-lived periods of feeling moody that is
triggered by hormonal changes after giving birth and can affect up
to 80% of new mums. PND, however, usually lasts much longer
than a few weeks with more intense emotions. It affects 10-15%
of mums after giving birth.
“WOMEN WITH PND WILL HURT THEIR OWN CHILD.”
In severe cases, only 0.001% of women will have a risk for infanticide or
suicide with a different disorder called Postnatal Psychosis.
ONLY
0.001%
OF NEW MOMS ARE AT
RISK OF INFANTICIDE
“PND WILL GO AWAY ON ITS OWN.”
PND, like other depressions, is a serious illness that requires professional
help. It is not something that one can rise above and overcome without
treatment. It is highly treatable with psychotherapy and medication.
“WOMEN ARE TO BE BLAMED FOR HAVING PND.”
PND is not something one can choose and it cannot just be willed away. The changes in hormones during
childbirth and genetics plays a substantial role in the susceptibility of having PND.
“PND WILL RECUR FOR THE NEXT PREGNANCY IF ONE HAD IT BEFORE.”
It is hard to predict whether PND might recur again. While a history of depression does make one more
vulnerable to PND, it can be avoided if extra precaution and steps are taken to ensure the mental well-being
of oneself during pre and postnatal stages.
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A PSYCHIATRIST’S VIEW ON
POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
PICTURED ON RIGHT: DR CORNELIA CHEE
Dr Cornelia Chee is a senior consultant and the director of the Women’s
Emotional Health Service at the National University Hospital (NUH).
Specialising in adult psychiatry, she looks after women who are perinatal and
women with mental health issues.
Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MAIN CAUSE FOR POSTNATAL DEPRESSION (PND)?
A: It’s really hard to say, it’s often multifactorial and there isn’t one single cause. There are some women who
are hormonally sensitive, due to the changes in hormones postnatally, they can develop PND. Childbirth
itself and progressing from a couple to a parent is quite a big life transition. For the couples, negotiating who
does what, and how to parent the child is important. For the mother, she has to deal with juggling work and
looking after a baby. Furthermore, establishing breastfeeding might be difficult for some woman because it is
not something that comes instinctively. Beside breastfeeding, there’s also negotiation with the extended family,
on what the boundaries are, who looks after what, how the baby is treated. If there are problems between
the woman and her parents/in-laws, or if she lacks support, these can be additional stresses for her.
Q: IS THERE A POSSIBILITY OF GETTING A RELAPSE IN THE 2ND OR 3RD PREGNANCY?
A: Yes. If you’ve had PND in the first pregnancy then your chances of getting a subsequent episode is roughly
35%, significantly higher than if you’ve never gotten an episode before.
Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MAIN CAUSE FOR PND?
A: It depends on the severity of PND. For the majority of women who have mild to moderate depression,
basic education will be helpful. Education about having adequate sleep, exercising and couple time, is important
and can help in a large number of cases. Chronic sleep deprivation (occurs when a women routinely sleeps
less hours than the amount required for optimal functioning) can make a women feel worse. In some cases,
I will provide this advice and follow up in two weeks’ time. If a woman has risk factors for depression such
as having previous episodes of depression or poor social support networks, I might consider counselling or
psychotherapy. The challenge in this group of women though, is that they often have very little time to come
for therapy. As the depression gets more severe, there is a better case for antidepressants.
“If you think you might be having mental health issues, don’t hesitate to seek help.
At the very least, you will get an informed opinion about what your symptoms are
about, what you need to take note of, and what you can do to help make it better.”
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IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL WELLNESS
Dr Theresa Lee shares the importance of mental wellness. She is a senior consultant in the Department of
Psychological Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, specialising in women’s mental health.
Self
HOW DOES PND AFFECTS THE SELF?
PND affects a woman, physically, emotionally and psychologically. The low mood persists beyond 2 weeks,
causing the women to feel teary for no reason at times, being unable to eat or sleep well, and loses interest in
things that she used to enjoy. She might be sensitive to comments that others make, having negative thoughts
and feeling inadequate as a mother.
Thoughts such as:
“I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MILK”; “MY BABY IS
STARVING”; I’M NOT A GOOD MOTHER”
Relationship with your Partner?
HOW DOES PND AFFECTS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PARTNER?
A woman with PND may not always have low mood, she could also become easily irritable and sensitive. This
shift in emotions may cause a strain in the relationship between a woman and her partner, due to a lack of
understanding of the reason behind her sudden change. Misunderstandings between couples could also cause
a strain in the relationship. An example would be the husband thinking that his wife is uninterested in looking
after the baby, when in fact, the woman might be feeling overwhelmed or overly exhausted.
Thoughts such as:
“WHY IS SHE SNAPPING AT ME?”
“WHY DOES SHE NOT SEEM TO BE HAPPY WITH THE
THINGS I’M DOING?”
“WHY IS SHE NOT TAKING CARE OF THE BABY?”
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Child
HOW DOES PND AFFECT YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT?
A mother may have difficulty bonding with her child because of PND. The negative feelings she associates
with the child or her own feelings of inadequacy as a mother, would result in her withdrawing from her child.
Women with depression tend to be less positive with their infants during breastfeeding, interaction and play.
Furthermore, they were also less sensitively attuned to their infants, less affirming and more negating. These
disturbances in mother-child interactions could lead to the child having poorer emotional and cognitive
development.
Thoughts such as:
“YOU KEEP CRYING”
“YOU’RE SO IRRITATING”
“WHY DO YOU DO THIS ON PURPOSE?”
HOW SHOULD THE FAMILY TREAT A MOTHER EVEN WHEN SHE IS UNWELL?
While the condition would affect how a mother would take care of her child, her partner or family members
should not completely take over the role of a mother but instead, help and assist the mother to gradually step
up into her role. Family members can help out with day-to-day duties such as bathing or feeding the child.
However, the mother will need to gain confidence in looking after the infant on her own and learn how to
cope and engage in these duties as her condition gradually improves.
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REST VS
Sleep and Rest
Healthy mothers are usually those who allow themselves to sleep as much as they feel is necessary. Getting
inadequate sleep goes beyond feeling tired physically, it also affects one’s cognitive functions. This makes
performing simple daily tasks problematic, let alone having enough patience to deal with a crying child.
Recommended hours of sleep
It is not possible to sleep a good eight hours at night because mothers will be up
several times to tend to their baby’s needs. Mothers can try to get as close to
what their usual sleeping hours are, and make up for sleep debt during the day.
However, once a child reaches six months, they should be capable of sleeping
seven to eight hours straight.
Tips on getting better sleep
A mother needs to focus on taking care of the baby and herself in the
first few weeks after giving birth. Try not to be overactive and feel like
you need to tend to everything (e.g. clean the house, cook or do chores)
once your baby falls asleep. It is important to prioritise self-care. In fact, try
to sleep when your baby is sleeping. These naps together actually provide
bonding and snuggling time with your child. This also helps build a trusting
rapport between mother and child. Pumping breast milk into bottles is also a
useful tip for occasional nighttime feeding. This way, someone else can help feed
the baby while the mother has a longer period of uninterrupted sleep. Sleep is crucial
for maintaining overall well-being. Chronic sleep deprivation has been shown to affect
a mother’s functioning in the postnatal period and may have adverse effects on her ability
to care for and bond with her baby. Chronic sleep deprivation is also associated with mental
health issues. It is normal to have sleep disruptions or inadequate sleep when caring for a newborn. We
encourage mothers to get as much sleep where possible and manage their expectations of balancing
parenthood with other commitments. Some tips include sleeping when your baby sleeps, taking turns
with your husband/caregiver when caring for your baby at night, and do not hesitate to ask for help
when needed.
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EXERCISE
Activities
Postnatal exercises are highly recommended for mothers to maintain both physical and mental wellness. During the
first few weeks, it is important not to dive into strenuous exercises. Instead, get outside for fresh air every day by
going for a simple brisk walk or a stroll with your baby. You can also do gentle lower belly or pelvic floor exercises
at home to help your body recover. Having an easy exercise routine after the first few hectic weeks will be useful.
We would recommend waiting six weeks before starting exercising. It is important to manage expectations and
not expect that a couple can “do it all” as first-time parents. Couples need time to adjust to the new routines
that involve caretaking and gradually carve out a new schedule that incorporates their new role as
parents. There is no one size fits all. After some time for adjustment and recovery, a suitable
exercise regimen can be planned to suit their needs.
Tip: It’s easier to carve out pockets of time for exercise (Ten to Fifteen mins/day)
rather than a prolonged period (One hour/day).
The following information serves as a guideline for postnatal exercises. For
individualised modifications, please approach a physiotherapist for advice.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise
Pelvic floor muscles are weakened due to childbirth process and hormonal
changes. Mothers may experience urinary leakages when coughing or laughing.
Exercise:
o Imagine that you are trying to stop your flow of urine midstream
o Do not hold breath
o Contract muscles and release, do not hold
o Start in a sitting position at the edge of a firm chair for better feedback
o You should feel your front and back passages lifting up and away from the chair surface
o Do not practise while actually passing urine
Aerobic exercises help to improve the physical and mental well-being of mothers. This includes:
o Brisk walking or walking (on treadmill or grass, rather than hard concrete surface)
o Low impact aerobic workouts
o Light weight training (less than five lbs)
o Cycling
o Swimming (once the wound/ episiotomy has healed)
o Exercise five to ten minutes at a time initially, then gradually increase the length of your workout. Ideally, your
exercise sessions should eventually increase to thirty to fifty minutes per day
Information provided by Cammy Tsai, Principal Physiotherapist, NUH Rehabilitation Centre
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PARTNER SUPPORT
Partner support was perceived by PND patients to be among the top contributing factors in their recovery.
Coping with mood disorders alone is extremely difficult and having an understanding partner who provides
emotional comfort and physical involvement would help the mother tremendously. Even for mothers who
are not depressed, support will help to buffer against the likely stresses in the postnatal period.
CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION
Communication starts even before the baby comes. Upon marriage, it is important to talk about family
planning so that both parties have an idea of each other’s expectations about parenthood. Everyone has
different parenting styles depending on their own upbringing and culture. For example, if the husband was
brought up in an environment where his mother did everything, he might feel that it is normal for his wife to
take charge of things in the household. However, the wife may feel that childcare is a partnership and hence
conflict may arise from the different expectations within the couple. Communication is important and it
should be an ongoing process.
“Having mood disorders to cope with on their own is very difficult.
Having emotional comfort, physical involvement and understanding
from the partner would help the mother tremendously.”
- Dr Theresa Lee, Senior Consultant, Department of Psychological Medicine,
KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
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CREATING NEW ROUTINES
Having a baby is an adjustment for both the father and mother as they will have less time for themselves,
and a baby to look after. For instance, many parents with a career who are used to going on business trips
and having time for themselves may feel that having a baby has turned their lives topsy turvy. Hence, it is
important for both parents to adapt and get use to a new routine. Together, parents have to work out how
are they going to adjust to this new life, what new changes they need to make, and what new routines they
have to get familiar with.
Individual Time
Making changes to lifestyles do not mean that both parents should give up time for
themselves. This is a give and take situation where couples need to give each other some
personal space. Often we hear women talk about how their husbands still go out for
social activities while she is cooped at home all the time. Mothers should learn to allocate
time for themselves as well, such as spending an hour with girlfriends on weekends. It is
necessary for both parties to have their personal space and time to enjoy the activities
that they like and to have a break from baby care.
Couple Time
Couples can attempt to work out a schedule amongst themselves to ensure sufficient
couple time. For example, many couples would visit their parents’ homes with their
children on weekends. If their parents are able to care for the baby, the couple can make
plans to leave the baby for an hour and enjoy couple time. It may be difficult, but it is
strongly encouraged that parents actively make couple time a reality. Otherwise, it tends
to be forgotten. Simple things like dining out, catching a movie together or even snuggling
together after putting the baby to sleep and talking about what happened in the day could
be some ways that couples can sneak in some time together.
AFFIRMING AND APPRECIATING YOUR PARTNER
Understand your partner’s love language so that their acts of love will not go unnoticed. It could be through a simple
gift, acts of service (e.g. helping to clean up the house), words of affirmation or physical touches. By observing how one’s
partner shows their love, it will be much easier to see the type of support he/she is trying to show you.
Often, it is easy to take for granted the things partners do for each other. Show your appreciation for them through
simple gestures or a “thank you” to make them feel appreciated.
Information provided by Dr Theresa Lee, Senior Consultant, and Ms Ong Li Lian, Senior Case Manager,
Department of Psychological Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
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SUPPORT GROUP
New Mothers’ Support Group (NMSG) was set up by
a group of mothers 23 years ago, to provide a support
network for expectant and new mums in Singapore to
build lasting friendships and connect them together
via their social events, wellness groups and parties.
Currently headed by Ms Sasha Harrison and Ms Vanessa
Contumelias, NMSG has 1944 members in its Facebook
group, with a good mix of both locals and expats who
moved to Singapore.
Ms Sasha Harrison is the co-chairperson of NMSG, as well as a mother of two children (with the
third on the way!). Having moved to Singapore from the United Kingdom, Sasha shares with us
about NMSG, how it supported her as she adjusted to living in a new environment, as well as her
take on parenting and the importance of support.
Sasha joined the NMSG back in 2011 when she first moved to Singapore and was 7 months pregnant with
her eldest child. The first NMSG event she attended was Coffee Morning. “Out of Coffee Morning, I met 3
of my very close friends. They formed my support network here in Singapore. The group provided me with
friendships and support that I could rely on when I had problems or questions.”
Coffee Morning, now known as Baby & Bump Drop In, is one of the social events held by NMSG, where
mothers gather together to interact and share about their experiences. At the moment there are three Baby
& Bump, two in Tanglin and one in the East Coast. A lactation consultant is present in all three events to help
with any breastfeeding queries as well as other queries that fall under their expertise. The support group also
has a pediatrician and pediatric nurse on board to answer questions about child vaccination or any other
issues that may arise.
Sasha recognized the need to get out of her comfort zone and venture out after her pregnancy. She found
NMSG as a support network with fellow mothers whom she can have genuine conversations with. Having
shared similar experiences with childcare and parenting with fellow mothers, she found comfort in knowing
that she was not alone, and others were going through the same challenges that she faced.
“I think support-wise, it’s about finding that group of people that you can just feel comfortable
going to and seeing. To be able to just get support out of hours is really important in those early
first few months, and mums are actually encouraged to go out, encouraged to make new friends,
encouraged to meet people. Because it’s through those people that they meet in those first few
months that they get that support network.”
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Even when they take on a new role as mothers, and despite all the parental responsibilities that come with
having a child, women can still maintain their identities. Sasha encourages fellow mothers to continue making
plans with girlfriends and make time for things that they used to love to do. It is also important to have couple
time as partners.
“Occasionally my husband and I will go out once the children are in bed. It’s really important to
make sure that you don’t lose your sense of a couple and also for the woman, not to lose their
sense of self identity. If possible, carve out time away from children and have moments where
you’re either out as a couple and making sure that you’re keeping your relationship as it was
before having children.”
When asked to give a word of encouragement to fellow mothers in Singapore, Sasha shared a piece of advice
that she received in the past - Nothing lasts forever.
“Waking up in the middle of the night won’t last forever. Breastfeeding, won’t last forever. The
tantrums won’t last forever. But equally, your children are not children forever, they do grow up
and as hard as it might be to imagine when you’re in the middle of it, you will miss those days
and you will miss them when they are not a baby anymore, and you miss them when they’re not
a toddler or a pre-schooler. And I think it can be easy to forget that actually those moments are
special and to try and enjoy them as much as you can.”
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED TO BE A PART OF NMSG, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AND
SIGN UP FOR MEMBERSHIP @
HTTP://WWW.NMSG-SINGAPORE.COM/NEW-MEMBERSHIP-PAGE
Ms Sasha Harrison has recently stepped down as co-chair of the NMSG, as her 3rd child is due soon. The Support Group is now led by Ms Kiran
Balwalli and Ms Vanessa Contumelias. For more information you can email them directly at cochairsnmsg@gmail.com
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NUTRITION
A mother’s body has undergone many changes during and after pregnancy, thus it is important to maintain
a healthy diet to accelerate healing and recovery. Having a healthy diet also gives a mother more energy to
take care of her baby and herself. To maximise the benefit of breast milk, nursing mothers must practice good
nutrition so that good nutrients can be passed on to the baby.
RECOMMENDED DIET & SUPPLEMENTS
Low-fat dairy products, Beans & Peas, Leafy Greens
Having adequate calcium is especially important for breastfeeding mothers, otherwise calcium
deposited in the bones will be withdrawn for milk production. Even when a mother is not
breastfeeding, having a good amount of calcium intake is essential for healthier bones and teeth.
Red Meat, Fish & Egg
Lean proteins fills one up more than carbohydrates. They are also rich in iron and vitamin B12
which are helpful in increasing energy levels. Do choose the lean cuts of the meat so that there
will not be excess saturated fats consumed.
Water, Milk, Fruit Juices (Prune Juice for extra iron intake!)
In order to satisfy thirst and prevent constipation, adequate fluid intake is always important,
especially for mothers who are currently breastfeeding. Increased fluid intake also helps in weight
loss and improved lactation during breastfeeding.
Whole grains/foods
Increased fibre intake, which is good for gut health.
FEEL LIKE HAVING A SNACK?
Try some of these healthier snacks but do eat in moderation:
- Whole-grain crackers
- Peanut butter served with apple
- Plain Greek yogurt with an extra cup of berries
- Nuts
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EDINBURGH POSTNATAL
DEPRESSION SCALE (EPDS)
As you are pregnant or have recently had a baby, we would like to know how you are feeling. Please check
the answer that comes closest to how you have felt IN THE PAST 7 DAYS, not just how you feel today.
1. I have been able to laugh and see the
funny side of things
As much as I always could
Not quite so much now
Definitely not so much now
Not at all
2. I have looked forward with enjoyment
to things
As much as I ever did
Rather less than I used to
Definitely less than I used to
Hardly at all
*6. Things have been getting on top of me
Yes, I haven’t been coping well all along
Yes, I haven’t coped as well as usual
No, I’ve coped well most of the time
No, Coping as well as ever.
*7. I have been so unhappy that I have had
difficulty sleeping
Yes, most of the time
Yes, sometimes
Not very often
No, not at all
*3. I have blamed myself unnecessarily
when things went wrong.
As much as I ever did
Rather less than I used to
Definitely less than I used to
Hardly at all
4. I have been anxious or worried for no
good reason
No, not at all
Hardly ever
Yes, sometimes
Yes, very often
*5. I have felt scared or panicky for no
very good reason
Yes, quite a lot
Yes, sometimes
No, not much Sometimes
No, not at all
*8. I have felt sad or miserable
Yes, most of the time
Yes, quite often
Not very often
No, not at all
*9. I have been so unhappy, I have been
crying
Yes, most of the time
Yes, quite often
Only occasionally
No, never
*10. The thought of harming myself has
occurred to me
Yes, quite often
Sometimes
Hardly ever
Never
CHECK OUT WHAT YOUR SCORE MEANS ON THE NEXT PAGE
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EDINBURGH POSTNATAL
DEPRESSION SCALE (EPDS)
Postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbearing. The 10-question Edinburgh
Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a valuable and efficient way of identifying patients at risk for perinatal
depression. The EPDS is easy to administer and has proven to be an effective screening tool.
Mothers who score above 13 are likely to be suffering from a depressive illness of varying severity. The
EPDS score should not override clinical judgment. A careful clinical assessment should be carried out to
confirm the diagnosis. The scale indicates how the mother has felt during the previous week. In doubtful
cases it maybe useful to repeat the tool after 2 weeks. The scale will not detect mothers with anxiety
neuroses, phobias or personality disorders.
If mothers feel anything amiss, please contact the various helplines on the next page to seek help.
SCORING
QUESTIONS 1, 2 & 4 (WITHOUT AN *)
Are scored 0, 1, 2 or 3 with top box scored as 0 and the bottom box scored as 3.
QUESTIONS 3, 5-10 (MARKED WITH AN *)
Are reverse scored, with the top box scored as a 3 and the bottom box scored as 0.
MAXIMUM SCORE: 30
POSSIBLE DEPRESSION: 10 OR GREATER
ALWAYS LOOK AT ITEM 10 (SUICIDAL THOUGHTS)
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE EDINBURGH POSTNATAL DEPRESSION SCALE:
1. The mother is asked to check the response that comes closest to how she has been feeling in the previous 7 days.
2. All the items must be completed.
3. Care should be taken to avoid the possibility of the mother discussing her answers with others. (Answers come
from the mother or pregnant woman.)
4. The mother should complete the scale herself, unless she has limited English or has difficulty with reading.
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HELPLINES
PSYCHOLOGISTS
KK’s Women’s & Children’s Hospital
Helpline Email: dpm@kkh.com.sg
Website: https://www.kkh.com.sg/Pages/Home.aspx
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kkh.sg/
National University Hospital
Helpline: +65 6772 2255 (NUH Main Helpline) / 6772 2002 (NUH
Appointment Helpline to Psychiatrist)
Email: Womens_Clinic@nuhs.edu.sg
Appointment E-mail to Psychiatrist: umcapptline@nuhs.edu.sg
Website: http://www.nuhgynae.com.sg/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/pg/NationalUniversityHospital/
SUPPORT GROUPS
New Mother Support Group
Email: nmsgsingapore@gmail.com
Website: http://www.nmsg-singapore.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/newmotherssupportgroupsingapore
Breastfeeding Mothers Support Group
Helpline: +65 63393558
Email: counselling@breastfeeding.org.sg
Website: http://breastfeeding.org.sg/breastfeeding-resources/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmsg.singapore
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COME TO CHAT
Worried for someone or looking for support? Have a chat with CHAT.
CHAT (Community Health Assessment Team) is a group of healthcare professionals dedicated to helping
young people with mental health concerns.
CHAT @ *Scape
2 Orchard Link #05-05
Singapore 237978
6493 6500 / 6501
http://www.chat.mentalhealth.sg
http://www.facebook.com/chatfans
CHAT MENTAL HEALTH CHECK
CHAT provides free confidential mental health checks for individuals between 16-30 years old. Visit the
CHAT website (http://www.chat.mentalhealth.sg) to make an appointment for your friend or loved one.
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