Screening for postpartum depression

Postpartum depression, a potentially serious public health problem can be effectively treated. With the implementation of universal screening with a standardized, self-administered screening tool, in conjunction with appropriate education and training of health care providers to increase awareness of this problem and to impart greater diagnostic suspicion, identification of and early intervention for PPD can be facilitated. There is need for increased collaboration between Obstetric and Consultation Liaison Psychiatric Services, with particular emphasis on the prevention of psychiatric morbidity associated with pregnancy, thereby improving the quality of life for and interaction between mother and child. The establishment of a true Liaison Psychiatric Service dedicated to pregnancy and the postpartum period, with a Psychiatrist employed by the Obstetric Services, may be of great value.(AU)