Perinatal suicide in Ontario, Canada: a 15-year population-based study

Area of Science:

• Perinatal mental health
• Public health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Perinatal suicide remains understudied in Canada.
• This study examines the epidemiology and health service use of perinatal suicides.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the rates, characteristics, and health service utilization of suicides occurring during pregnancy and the first postpartum year in Ontario, Canada.
• To compare these factors with non-perinatal suicides and living perinatal women.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, population-based cohort study using linked health administrative databases and coroner death records (1994-2008) in Ontario, Canada.
• Comparison of sociodemographic, clinical, and health service use data for women who died by suicide perinatally, women who died by suicide non-perinatally, and living perinatal women.

Main Results:

• The perinatal suicide rate was 2.58 per 100,000 live births, accounting for 5.3% of perinatal deaths.
• Suicides peaked in the last quarter of the first postpartum year, with higher rates in rural areas.
• Perinatal suicide victims were more likely to die by hanging or jumping/falling and had similar rates of mental health contact compared to non-perinatal suicide victims.

Conclusions:

• Perinatal suicide rates in Ontario are comparable to international figures and represent a significant portion of Canadian perinatal mortality.
• Suicide risk assessment is crucial for all healthcare providers, as deaths occur throughout the perinatal period.
• Lower likelihood of pediatric contact among perinatal suicide decedents warrants further investigation.