Suicidal mums need more help

Title: Suicidal mums need more help.

Description:

More resources need to be put into mental health services for mothers and pregnant women who feel suicidal, University of Ulster researchers are due to tell an international conference on suicide prevention today.

Content:

Suicidal mums need more help.  More resources need to be put into mental health services for mothers and pregnant women who feel suicidal, University of Ulster researchers are due to tell an international conference on suicide prevention today.  The researchers, Professor Marlene Sinclair, professor of Midwifery Research, and Iain McGowan, who is a lecturer in nursing, are leading a symposium at the International Congress for Suicide Prevention being held in Killarney. They intend to discuss their concerns about the “small but significant” number of new mothers who kill themselves. Mental health issues associated with pregnancy and childbirth need to be addressed urgently, the team say.  Speaking ahead of today’s gathering, Mr. McGowan said pregnancy and parenting are “generally seen to be fulfilling and rewarding” experiences. “However, the reality for a number of women is that the physical, emotional and social upheaval of having children can leave them vulnerable to social isolation, loneliness and perhaps hopelessness,” he said.  “All of which can lead to mental health problems and, in extreme cases, possible attempts on their own life.”

Source:

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Disclaimer:

Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not represent those of The Federation of Antenatal Educators (FEDANT) unless specifically stated.