A report published on World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September) by the Maternity Consortium finds that more training and education is needed to tackle rising rates of suicide among pregnant women and new mothers.
The Maternity Consortium, jointly led by Sands and Tommy's, is part of the Government’s Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Health and Wellbeing Alliance, which brings together health and care organisations with expertise in different sectors.
The most recent figures from MBRRACE-UK show that in 2020, women were three times more likely to die by suicide during pregnancy, or up to six weeks after the end of pregnancy, compared with 2017-2019.
The Maternity Consortium report, Understanding lived experience of suicidality during the perinatal period, draws on insights from 49 people who had thought about taking their own life or self-harmed while pregnant or soon afterwards. All were interviewed by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance or local community groups between January and March 2024.
Support and advice was provided throughout by the Samaritans.
The report recommendations include a review of current national policy and support related to suicide prevention during pregnancy and after birth.
Participants were asked about the support and services they received during the perinatal period and what could have been improved. They were also asked about the barriers to suicide prevention and what good suicide prevention would look like in the perinatal period.
The report shows that training should be updated to ensure all professionals who have contact with pregnant women and new mothers are aware of suicidal ideation during pregnancy and soon after birth.
“We hope this report will inspire commissioners and providers of maternity services to review their training and support around mental health in pregnancy and afterwards, and to make improvements if needed.
“Everyone involved in caring for pregnant women, birthing people and new mothers should be aware of the risk of perinatal suicide and the factors that can make some more vulnerable than others, as well as being equipped to provide – or signpost to – the best possible support.”
- Kate Davies, Associate Director of Information and Support at Tommy’s
Sands here to support
We are here to support anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby.
At Sands we know that feelings about wanting to "be with your baby" can feel very strong at times in your bereavement journey and also that these feelings do pass. Our bereavement team at Sands understand and can support anyone to explore this and find ways to move forwards and remember your baby in way that is special to you.
Sands provides trauma-informed bereavement support services. The charity believes that the government and the NHS must ensure that any parent who has suffered pregnancy or baby loss and needs this support can access it free of charge, at a time and place that is right for them, wherever they live in the UK.
Download the full report from the National Voices resource library.