Exploring the complex factors associated with maternal suicide
A recent research article (Zivin et al., 2024) has underscored the importance of further research into the long-term consequences of perinatal mental health while providing insights into complex factors surrounding maternal suicide.
The findings from this article encompass the entire perinatal period, from pregnancy to one year postpartum.
The study raises awareness of the role that external factors, such as intimate partner problems, depressed mood, substance abuse, physical health, and recent bereavement relative to non-perinatal decedents, may play in maternal suicide.
Key takeaways include:
- Risks to maternal health have reached a crisis stage in the United States, with the U.S. having the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries. Because of this, the White House created a blueprint in 2022 to address the maternal health crisis, including mental health and suicide.
- A leading cause of maternal deaths in the U.S. is suicide during the perinatal period, contributing to 8.4% of those deaths.
- Intimate partner problems are a leading cause of suicidal thoughts/behaviours, in addition to substance use, depressed mood and other adverse events.
The issue is not isolated to the US, with a report from the Helen Clark Foundation in 2022 showing that suicide is the leading cause of death among pregnant women and new mothers in New Zealand.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, suicide was one of the most common causes of indirect maternal death in Australia between 2011-2020.
The bottom line: This paper raises awareness of the unmet public health need surrounding maternal health and presents opportunities for helping to bridge that gap through person-centred interventions, improvements in public policy, and increased resource availability.
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