Top end perinatal mental health consultation service: evaluation of services,patient demographics and psychosocial contributors to mental ill-health

Abstract

Objectives

To understand the key descriptors of the Top End Mental Health Service, Northern Territory’s, perinatal mental health consultation service (PMHCS).

Method

A retrospective cross-sectional review of all referrals to the PMHCS in the 12 months period 1 January to 31 December 2021 inclusive was undertaken. The study was descriptive in nature.

Results

From January 2021 to December 2021, there were 266 women referred to the service. There was a large proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Mean age was 28.8 (SD = 6.04) years. A statistically significant difference was identified between the average age of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (n = 53, M = 24.6 years, SD = 6.31) which was significantly less than Caucasian women (n = 161, M = 29.4037, SD = 4.982) and women of other cultural backgrounds (n = 52, M = 31.154, SD = 6.792), p < .00,001. Sixty two percent of patients managed had a history of trauma with significantly more service contact.

Conclusion

This data gives insight into a unique population group. It also highlights the impact that trauma has on patient care and management.

Keywords

perinatal transcultural psychiatry Australian indigenous rural mental health

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