Connecting the dots: Perinatal mental healthcare for migrant women in Ireland

Perinatal mental illness is a growing public health concern. As many as one in three migrant women experience perinatal mental illness compared to one in five women in the general population. There is growing evidence that migrant women who experience perinatal  mental illness face difficulties when accessing healthcare services, and this warrants close attention. Healthcare professionals and community support groups need to gain deeper insights into the types of supports and services required by migrant women so that they can provide perinatal mental healthcare that responds to the needs of these women. 

This study brought together a range of stakeholders to discuss perinatal mental healthcare for migrant women living in Ireland. The aim of the participatory project was to enable stakeholders to work together collaboratively to identify collective, solution-focused ways of improving perinatal mental healthcare supports for migrant women. By expressing within a single study the collective voices of migrant women, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community groups and healthcare professionals working in a diverse range of healthcare settings, new insights into perinatal mental healthcare for migrant women can emerge. 

In keeping with a participatory health research approach, three online key convenings informed by World Café philosophies were facilitated in August and September 2021. Fifty?two people from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, including migrant women, healthcare professionals, NGOs, networks and community groups that advocate for migrant communities, participated in the study. After analysing the collected data, the project team identified two overarching themes – Building Capability and Capacity and  Empowering Migrant Women – and three sub-themes per theme.

The findings of the study reaffirmed the commitment of healthcare professionals and  NGOs/community groups to providing quality services that meet the needs of migrant women experiencing perinatal mental illness. However, delivering culturally appropriate healthcare in this area is complex. Creating education and training opportunities that nurture cultural awareness, foster respect for cultural difference and prepare individuals to engage in perinatal mental health conversations in culturally responsive ways is paramount. Better inter-agency communication, networking and collaborative working, both within and across sectors, is required. Findings also suggest the need for personalised care pathways that link women and their families to appropriate perinatal mental healthcare services and to NGOs and community groups that support migrant communities. In summary, we need to work collectively to create greater awareness of the perinatal mental health of migrant women and offer them guidance on the range of available services with a view to reducing some of the fears and stigmas around perinatal mental illness.