Perinatal suicidality: Risk factors in South African women with mental illness

Maternal Mortality is a global health concern. The lack of suicide data, particularly in low and middle income countries, is concerning and needs to be addressed.

This study assessed suicidality and associated factors during pregnancy and the postpartum period amongst women with known psychiatric diagnoses.

The study sample included pregnant South African women over the age of 18 years with a psychiatric disorder who presented at two maternal mental health clinics.

Suicidality was assessed by means of psychiatric interviews - the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale.

The results revealed that women were at a higher risk of experiencing suicidality if they had attempted suicide before, presented at a later gestation for psychiatric care or were employed. It was also clear that multiple assessments, carried out by means of clinical interviews and various scales, were necessary to screen suicidality successfully in pregnant women diagnosed with psychiatric illness.

The results confirmed the view of the World Health Organization that in order to promote mental health and well-being, women's health should be viewed contextually, not in isolation. Screening for and treatment of perinatal mental illness, including suicidality, are essential if we hope to meet the maternal morbidity and mortality targets of the United Nations by 2030.