Why mothers die: a public health concern

For the first time ever, suicide is the leading cause of maternal deaths in the UK (CEMD, 2001). This haunting reality illuminates the need for antenatal screening to detect women at risk of mental health-related problems. This second article in a series of two articles proposes that the timely intervention of antenatal screening for postnatal depression and serious mental illness is an important public health issue. The early detection of emotional difficulties is the key to helping and supporting vulnerable groups of women and their families, and preventing mortality.