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Advocates warn that pregnant women and new mothers facing mental health difficulties are falling through healthcare gaps in Ireland, following reports that suicide was the leading cause of late maternal deaths between 2022 and 2024, as mental health officials outline plans for specialized inpatient care units.
Maternal Mental Health Crises and Late Deaths in Ireland
Pregnant women and new mothers experiencing mental health challenges are falling through the cracks of Ireland’s healthcare system, according to warnings from advocates. The urgency around the issue intensified after new figures showed suicide was the leading cause of late maternal deaths between 2022 and 2024.
Data released by the Maternal Death Enquiry confirmed that suicide was the leading cause of deaths among women in the year following childbirth during the specified period.
“The psychiatric and psychological effects of pregnancy and postpartum continue to colour this round of data, and we still see the prevalence of suicide as a major factor.”
Krysia Lynch, advocate with The Association for Improvements in Maternity Services (Aims) Eire
The evidence highlights that suicide remains the leading cause of late maternal deaths in Ireland, driving renewed calls for comprehensive support.
Systemic Gaps and Postnatal Care
Many families experience profound isolation shortly after leaving the hospital.
Reports from community advocates indicate that some new mothers receive as few as a single visit from a public health nurse after returning home. That limited contact leaves vulnerable women exposed to severe psychological distress.
Isolation and poor experience leave women traumatised and with little or no support in the postnatal.
Krysia Lynch, advocate with The Association for Improvements in Maternity Services (Aims) Eire
Proposed Inpatient Mother and Baby Units
In response to mounting pressure, government officials have outlined infrastructure plans aimed at keeping mothers and infants together during acute psychiatric episodes. Mental Health Minister Mary Butler announced that key meetings are underway to develop a dedicated facility.
The Health Service Executive intends to establish a perinatal mother and baby unit on the grounds of St Vincent’s University Hospital, though an exact site on the campus is not yet finalized. The concept of a specialized unit was first recommended in 2017.
“I’m determined to progress the development of a perinatal mother and baby init so that women can have their babies stay with them if they require inpatient psychiatric care.”
Mary Butler, Mental Health Minister
Minister Butler confirmed she will meet with the HSE national director for strategic health infrastructure and capital delivery to advance the project, alongside a separate stakeholder gathering scheduled for the end of September.
Funding Allocations and Regional Expansion Plans
Financial backing for the proposed psychiatric facilities forms part of a €470m package for mental health capital projects allocated across the next five years.
Beyond the primary facility planned for the Dublin region, authorities are coordinating with regional health managers to establish a secondary unit on the west coast.
Minister Butler noted she is collaborating with the regional executive officer for the Midwest to progress a smaller unit in Limerick, ensuring that specialized inpatient mother and baby support becomes accessible on both the East and West coasts.
The HSE maintains that every maternal death represents a profound tragedy for families and caregivers. Under current protocols, all direct maternal deaths are externally reviewed, with formal notifications routed to the National Women and Infants Health Programme.
Bereavement support is provided to affected families while findings from the Maternal Death Enquiry are utilized to inform system-wide service improvements.
“This means there is more impetus than ever to look after women’s mental health, not just after pregnancy but during it.”
Krysia Lynch, advocate with The Association for Improvements in Maternity Services (Aims) Eire