To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps his Department is taking to identify and support women at risk of suicide during the first year following pregnancy, including how suicide risk is assessed after discharge from maternity services.

My Department recognises that pregnancy and the first year following birth can be a period of increased vulnerability for women experiencing mental ill health.

Action 29A of the Mental Health Strategy 2021-2031 committed to the development of specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services across Northern Ireland.

Regional Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services have now been established across all five Health and Social Care Trusts to provide assessment, treatment and support for women experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties during pregnancy and up to one year following birth.

Women may be identified through a range of routes including maternity services, General Practitioners, health visitors, community mental health services and Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services. Women accepted for assessment receive a comprehensive clinical assessment, including assessment of mental health needs and associated risks, such as self-harm and suicide risk where indicated.

Following discharge from maternity services, suicide risk is assessed as part of ongoing clinical assessment undertaken by the relevant healthcare professionals involved in a woman's care. This may include Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services, General Practitioners, and Community Mental Health Services. Risk assessments are reviewed and updated as required and inform care planning, risk management and onward referrals where appropriate.

Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services work closely with maternity services, primary care, health visiting services and mental health services to support continuity of care and information sharing. For women known to specialist services, care planning arrangements may include postnatal review, ongoing risk management and follow-up. Women may continue to receive support from Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services for up to one year following birth, with onward referral to other appropriate services where required.