Suicide is a leading cause of death for women during the perinatal period in Australia and other high-income countries. In Australia, maternal mortality data is only consistently recorded for the period of pregnancy and up to 42-days postpartum, and thus it is difficult to accurately gauge perinatal suicide rates. However, the Obstetrics Clinical Committee have stated that suicide is the leading cause of death for women during the perinatal period in Australia when late maternal deaths (from 42-days to 12-months postpartum) are included.
The impact of perinatal suicidal behaviour is far-reaching, not just for the woman experiencing suicidal behaviour, but for children and non-birthing partners too. For example, children of women who experienced perinatal suicidal behaviour are more likely to be hospitalised for intentional self-harm as adolescents and to experience a range of childhood behaviour difficulties such as learning, conduct, and attention issues. In addition, non-birthing partners of women who experience perinatal suicidal behaviour often struggle to provide adequate support to their partner and children, and frequently experience their own mental health difficulties in the process.
Despite numerous epidemiological studies demonstrating the extent of perinatal suicidal behaviour as well as the key risk factors, there are very few targeted perinatal suicidal behaviour interventions. There are even less perinatal suicidal behaviour prevention and intervention models that elevate, and centre lived experience in their design and administration. This is a critical oversight given the increasing evidence that demonstrates improved effectiveness, engagement, and outcomes for at-risk populations when suicide prevention programmes and services are co-created with the lived experience community.
This presentation draws on the results of a systematic review lead by the first author that focused on perinatal suicidal behaviour interventions. The co-presenters’ in-progress mixed-methods co-designed lived experience research, as well as their own lived experience, will further contextualise the findings of the systematic review. In addition, a brief overview of the most recent epidemiological data on perinatal suicidal behaviour will be provided to give further understanding as to why current perinatal suicide and self-harm prevention efforts may be failing some of the most at-risk populations.
The presentation will conclude with a discussion of trauma-informed, strengths-based proposals for perinatal suicidal behaviour prevention research and service design, and why it is vital to elevate, and centre, lived experience at every step of programme design, implementation, and administration.