What is postpartum depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health problem that usually occurs within a few weeks to a year after a woman gives birth. It is not just the common "Baby Blues" after childbirth, but a more serious mood disorder that may last for months or even longer.
Symptoms of postpartum depression include persistent sadness, anxiety, exhaustion, lack of interest in the baby, and even thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) points out that if not identified and treated in time, postpartum depression may lead to long-term psychological problems and even increase the risk of suicide. .
Postpartum Depression Self-Test Questions
The following is a self-test designed based on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for Australian mothers. This test contains 10 questions, each with 4 options corresponding to different scores (0-3 points). Please choose the answer that best suits you based on your feelings in the past week. After completing it, add up all the scores and judge your degree of postpartum depression based on the total score.
Test questions:
1. Can I laugh as much as usual?
A. Yes, as before (0 points)
B. Not as happy as before (1 point)
C. I rarely laugh (2 points)
D. I can't laugh at all (3 points)
2. Do I look forward to my life every day?
A. Yes, very much (0 points)
B. Sometimes (1 point)
C. Not too much (2 points)
D. Not at all (3 points)
3. Do I blame myself when things go wrong?
A. Never (0 points)
B. Occasionally (1 point)
C. Often (2 points)
D. Always blame myself (3 points)
4. Do I feel anxious or worried?
A. Not at all (0 points)
B. A little bit sometimes (1 point)
C. Often feel anxious (2 points)
D. Always anxious (3 points)
5. Do I feel scared or panic?
A. Never (0 points)
B. Rarely (1 point)
C. Sometimes (2 points)
D. Often feel scared (3 points)
6. Do I feel like I can't cope with life?
A. I can cope completely (0 points)
B. I can cope most of the time (1 point)
C. I often can't cope (2 points)
D. I can't cope at all (3 points)
7. Do I have trouble falling asleep, even when I'm very tired?
A. No problem (0 points)
B. Sometimes (1 point)
C. I often have trouble sleeping (2 points)
D. I can't sleep almost every night (3 points)
8. Do I feel sad or want to cry?
A. Never (0 points)
B. Occasionally (1 point)
C. I often feel sad (2 points)
D. I always want to cry (3 points)
9. Do I have harmful thoughts about myself or my baby?
A. Never (0 points)
B. Rarely (1 point)
C. Sometimes (2 points)
D. Often (3 points)
10. Have I lost interest in my baby or life?
A. Not at all (0 points)
B. Sometimes (1 point)
C. Often (2 points)
D. Completely (3 points)
Scoring method:
Add the scores of the 10 questions together, and the total score ranges from 0-30 points. Based on the score, the results are divided into the following three categories:
▸0-9 points: Mild or no obvious depression symptoms
You may just be experiencing normal postpartum mood swings, but it is recommended to pay attention to your feelings and seek help if the symptoms worsen.
▸10-19 points: Moderate tendency to postpartum depression
You may be experiencing a certain degree of postpartum depression. It is recommended to communicate with your family and contact professionals for assessment.
▸20-30 points: Severe postpartum depression risk
Your symptoms may be more serious, please contact your doctor or mental health service agency immediately to avoid delaying treatment.
This test is not a final diagnosis, but it helps you quickly understand your mental state. If your score is in the moderate or severe range, or you feel uneasy, please do not bear it alone. Australia has many free resources to support you (see the next paragraph for details).
Free treatment channels in Australia
As a country that attaches great importance to mental health, Australia provides a variety of free or low-cost treatment channels for patients with postpartum depression. Here are some verified resources with real information and data sources to ensure you can find the right help for you. These services not only cover urban areas, but also benefit remote communities as much as possible, aiming to ensure that every mother can get support.
1.Beyond Blue
•Service content: Beyond Blue is Australia's most well-known mental health support organization, providing a 24/7 free hotline (1300 22 4636) and online chat services, with a special area for postpartum depression. New mothers can exchange experiences with others through the forum on the website or get professional advice.
•Data source: According to Beyond Blue's 2023 annual report, the organization receives more than 300,000 calls for help each year, of which about 10% are related to postpartum mental health.
•How to use: Visit www.beyondblue.org.au, click on the "Get Support" section, choose phone or online chat, the service is completely free and no appointment is required. （https://www.beyondblue.org.au/）
2.PANDA（Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia）
•Service content: PANDA focuses on perinatal (pregnancy and postpartum) anxiety and depression support, and provides a free hotline (1300 726 306, Monday to Friday 9:00-19:30 AEST). They also provide one-on-one telephone counseling for new mothers to help develop coping strategies. （www.panda.org.au）
•Data source: PANDA 2022 report shows that about 20,000 Australian parents seek help through the hotline each year, 80% of which are related to postpartum depression.
•How to use: Call the hotline or visit www.panda.org.au for more information. The service covers Australia, including Chinese support options.
3.Medicare Mental Health Care Plan
•Service content: Through Australia's public health system Medicare, you can apply for a mental health care plan from a general practitioner (GP) and receive up to 10 free or partially subsidized psychological consultations (such as psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy CBT). (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicar)
•Data source: According to the Australian Department of Health in 2023, more than 500,000 Australians receive psychological treatment through the program each year, of which postpartum mothers account for a significant proportion.
•How to use: Make an appointment with a local GP, explain your symptoms (such as a high test score), the doctor will assess and prescribe a plan, and then refer to a psychologist.
4.Head to Health
•Service content: This is an Australian government-funded mental health platform that provides free online resources and telephone support (1800 595 212). The website has self-management tools and emergency contact information for postpartum depression. (https://www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au/)
•Data source: Head to Health official website reported that the platform had more than 2 million visits in 2023, among which postpartum mental health was one of the hot search topics.
•How to use: Visit www.headtohealth.gov.au, search for "postpartum depression" to get resources, or call the hotline for immediate help.
Conclusion
Postpartum depression is not your fault, nor is it a burden you need to face alone. Through the self-test in this article, you can quickly understand your mental state. Your happiness and your baby's growth deserve to be protected.
