Study reveals shock extent of NI maternal deaths from suicide
Queen's research highlights mental health issues link
One in seven maternal deaths in Northern Ireland have been caused by suicide, it emerged today.
According to a new study, the largest of its kind, by Queen’s University, 101 women died from 2009 to 2013 after taking their own lives.
In addition, four deaths per 100,000 maternities were from mental-health related causes during up to one year after the end of pregnancy.
Researchers also found a connection between mental health issues in the mother and premature births.
One fifth of women reported a history of mental disorder, these pregnancies were more likely to result in children being born early and underweight.
Experts have raised concerns at the lack of perinatal mental health services in four out of five trusts in Northern Ireland.
Psychiatrists who took part in the study have called for urgent investment in specialist maternal care.
Currently, there are no specialist perinatal mental health services in four out of the five trusts in the region, and only a limited service in Belfast. In addition, there is no specialist mother and baby unit on the island of Ireland as a whole.
Dr Ciaran Mulholland, Clinical Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry at Queen’s University Belfast states, “Given the lack of large-scale research studies of this nature globally these results are extremely important for the development of perinatal health services everywhere.
“This is further evidence of how Queen’s University is a global leader in research and is committed to advancing knowledge and changing lives.”
Research team member Dr Janine Lynch, who is Consultant Psychiatrist at the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Trust with a special interest in Perinatal Mental Health said: “These findings highlight the urgent need for investment in the provision of specialist maternal mental health care in Northern Ireland.
“By addressing the urgent need for investment in the provision of specialist maternal mental health care, lives and costs will be saved."
Meanwhile, in a bid to tackle the rising rates here, Downtown Radio & Cool FM has launched a campaign - Invest in Life - calling for more ongoing investment and resources for services helping those affected.
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