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

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.