On the afternoon of November 23, Taoyuan City Mayor Chang San-Cheng visited the Community Mental Health Center at Bade District to inspect the implementation results of the city’s “Postpartum Depression Psychological Counseling Program.” Mayor Chang stated that the city government has implemented the “Maternal Psychological Counseling Subsidy” since May of this year (2023), which has assisted 5,647 individuals on the “Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale” in the past six months. Among them, 919 individuals scored over 13 points, indicating a need for continuous attention to their mental and physical well-being. Through the subsidy program, the city provides psychological counseling services to assist new moms in adjusting mentally and physically, turning the arrival of new life into a joyful family celebration.
Mayor Chang recognized the historical lack of information on postpartum care and the limited understanding of “postpartum depression.” Often, when families were immersed in the joy of a new life, they tended to neglect the emotional and psychological needs of the mothers. After he understood the mother’s psychological issue, Mayor Chang actively sought solutions and proposed the “Postpartum Depression Psychological Counseling Program” alongside traditional Chinese medicine treatments. Mayor Chang also encouraged new moms to be brave in seeking psychological counseling if needed, facilitating the resolution of worries and discomfort, and guiding the entire family towards an optimistic new life.
Today, Mayor Chang listened to testimonials from moms and their partners who have undergone the program, describing their experiences of seeking counseling assistance and gradually overcoming emotional lows. This serves as a testament to the impact of the “Maternal Psychological Counseling Subsidy” on improving the lives of citizens.
In addition to the 43 service institutions contracted for psychological counseling, three community mental health centers in the city also provide psychological counseling services. Furthermore, 73 collaborating traditional Chinese medicine clinics offer individualized Chinese medicine treatment and psychological and physical health education consultation.