A new French study examines the link between postpartum depression and suicidal thoughts among young mothers. And the numbers are alarming.
Although the consequences of postpartum depression are increasingly documented, and above all, less and less taboo, the figures linked to this disease continue to increase.
A French study published by Santé Publique France and relayed by Magic Mom this Tuesday, September 19, looks back at the consequences of postpartum depression, postnatal anxiety and suicidal thoughts among young mothers. And the numbers are alarming.
In France, there are 1.4 maternal deaths by suicide per 100,000 live births
Conducted among 7,133 women who gave birth in France in March 2021, the study reveals that 5.4% of young mothers suffer from suicidal thoughts. A figure that explodes to reach the 23.8% among those who report having postpartum depressionor almost a quarter of mothers.
As a reminder, suicides represent the leading cause of maternal deaths during the first year postpartum. In France, there are 1.4 maternal deaths by suicide per 100,000 live birthsalso recalls the study.
Also read: In postpartum depressionI tried to commit suicide when my daughter was born
The results show that overall, 16.7% of mothers surveyed suffered from postpartum depression, either one in six. Nevertheless, researchers observed disparities between regions. If in the Grand Est, Hauts-de-France, or even Burgundy-Franche-Comté, fewer young mothers suffer from postpartum depression, the figures leap in Île-de-France, in Centre-Val de Loire, and in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.