I just got word from Helena Bradford that we’ve lost another new mother to the insidious illness of postpartum depression. I had to have a good cry before I posted this because it just crushes me every time this happens. This is an abbreviated version of the information I received:
We just lost a wonderful new mother, a loving devoted wife and a great friend this past week to suicide from severe postpartum depression. Stephanie was a new mother (she just turned 30 in December) who suffered from what appears to be severe postpartum depression and decided to take her life after leaving her 2-month-old son Summit with us to baby sit last Tuesday night so she could go home and compose herself. My wife and 12 year old daughter found her hanging in the basement of their new townhouse the next morning. She and her husband had just moved to Utah after living with family during the birth and early weeks of Summit’s life in Kansas.
Stephanie is being buried today. If anyone would like to make a contribution to this family, no matter how small, here is how. Contributions will help with funeral expenses and expenses related to raising her infant son. Make your checks out to The Bank of the West and mail them to:
The Bank of the Westc/o Stan HolmbergPO Box 519Marshall, MN 56258(507) 537-1411
Tag: postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Each time another mother is lost to what is officially recognized as "Postpartum Blues Syndrome" – each one of us feels the sting, the loss, and another child is left orphaned. Why was this not reported in the news? Is it to protect the family or keep society from learning the truth? There is no shame in shouting from the roof top that society needs to do better in the care of our primary caretakers – the shame is in not having a roof top to shout from. God Bless the husband and family members and friends left behind to deal with heartache and pain, and someday having to explain to the child "why did my mommy leave me".
My name is Terri. My daughter has just been diagnosis with PPD. She is refusing help. Her little girl is 6 1/2 months. She has been married to a wonderful guy for the last nine months. Most of the sypmtoms of PPD she has. Infact, she has taken to seen another guy and staying out late with him. Right now her and her husband are separated. The doctor and her family and friends have tried to convince her to seek help, but with no success. Reading these stories just scare me thinking this is what could happen to my daughter. I really don't know what to do anymore. It hurts me to see her this way and knowing that I can't do anything. She is 21 years old. I am afraid for my daughter. I cry almost everyday, knowing what could happen.
A loving mom