KUALA LUMPUR: Six new mothers who suffered depression after giving birth have been forced to seek help from strangers after their husbands kicked them out.

Apparently, many of the husbands could not cope with their wives’ depression, especially their tearfulness.

In one case, a 45-year-old woman have been coming to the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department appealing for help since 2003 after she was kicked out by her husband in 1999.

The woman, known only as Toh, is now getting treatment from University Hospital after her condition deteriorated.

She is one of six new mothers, suffering from post-natal depression, who have approached the department.

Department head Datuk Michael Chong said the trauma of being chased out of their homes had triggered further mental problems for the women.

“It’s wrong to do this. The husbands should show more patience and get them the help they need,” Chong said.

The six cases are among 78 cases involving people who were chased out of their homes or abandoned by their families for having mental problems since the beginning of 2009.

“These people came from various parts of Malaysia. Some even specially flew in from Sabah and Sarawak just to seek our help,” Chong said.

“Without a home, some of these mentally-ill patients are forced to sleep at bus stops and beg for food. Some turned to theft to feed themselves.”

He urged families of those who suffered from mental illness not to abandon them as they could become productive if they were given proper medication.

“Their families cannot abandon them like that,” said Chong, who appealed to the families to show patience and understanding and take care of their own.

He said those getting treatment for their mental problems also needed the help of their families to ensure that they took their medication regularly.