The PMHP has provided counselling to1,571 women free of charge.
Photo: Alexia Beckerling
Trends
33%of women routinely qualify for referral on the basis of the Project’s mental health screening.
This constancy corroborates independent research, such as Cooper et al, 1999 who found that 1 out of every 3 women in Khayelitsha experience postnatal depression.
For roughly two thirds of women attending counselling, the main presenting problem is a lack of primary support.
See the table to the right for more information about presenting problems amongst our clients.
Expansion
Prior to 2008, counselling services were provided
by a dedicated team of volunteers. Since Bronwyn Evans joined the team as a full-timeMental Health Officerin 2008 the PMHP has seen a 47% increase in counselling services provided.
In 2010, we added the services of a French-speaking counsellor to provide support for the large number of refugee women attending at Mowbray Maternity Hospital.
In 2011, the PMHP expanded its counselling service to Retreat Midwife Obstetric Unit and False Bay Hospital.
Referrals
21%of women who attend our service were referred to appropriate community organisations, such as shelters for abused women or drug addiction counselling organisations.
These referrals act to supplement the care given by the PMHP.
Presenting problems among counselled clients
2007
2008
Primary support
74%
63%
Social environment
27%
17%
Health/medical
17%
20%
Lifestyle transition
39%
37%
Psychiatric history
18%
48%
Clients presenting in 2 or more categories
55%
66%
Women attending antenatal care for the first time who need counselling, but who have obstetric complications, are referred to Mowbray Maternity Hospital's social workers.
Maybe if I didn’t meet you, I wouldn’t be here, because the depression would have made me commit suicide. I think you made me see those positive sides. I’m here now. I’m fine.
I’m very proud to be a mom.
A working mom. Yes, yes.
Of the 18 referrals to social workers in 2009, 4 women (22% of those referred) were seen. The PMHP aims to partner more closely with social workers to enhance this service uptake.
Updated: May 2011
·Community liaison has been amplified to raise consciousness and advocate for maternal mental health services. Of women who attended the PMHP counselling service, 21% were referred to appropriate community organisations.
Primary health care based: Social Workers; Breastfeeding Consultants ; Better Birthing Initiative; Community Midwife and Obstetric Units; HIV Counsellors; FAMSA; SANCA. Civil society based: Mothers2Mothers; Mdlezane Community Centre, Khayelitsha; Parent Centre; Women’s Legal Centre; Clinical Education Department, MMH; Provincial Maternal Infant Mental Health Consortium; Refugee support centres.
