It makes me so damn mad when postpartum depression steals another beautiful mother from the world via suicide. Just so furious.
On October 1, 36-year-old Texas lawyer and new mother Kristi Wise took her own life while in the throes of postpartum depression. I wish we all could have been there for her and helped her see she would get through this.
If you’d like to support her family, including her baby daughter Vivi, please visit this website. I made my donation, and only wish it could have been bigger.
Also? If you’re reading this and considering suicide, please call 1-800-273-TALK. You can also email me or any of the survivor moms who’ve made it through postpartum depression, or call or visit Postpartum Support International. We will help you. You are not alone.
Seeing this makes me so sad but so extremely angry also. I was one of the lucky ones, I attempted suicide but did not succeed while suffering from PPD. I remember telling people but they didn't understand, and for the most part, while in the midst of it, I didn't either. But I needed the well people to at least help, which they didn't, and I just survived. It was so hard. RIP Kristi, and I hope your daughter will some day understand if you were not sick you would still be alive.
What happened that this poor soul felt no other way out? Did the system fail her? Did her support fail her? Or was it that the monster grip of PPD was so tight that she felt this was the only way out? This storty rocked my core because that could have been me.
This is why we need to talk more about this illness and educate. There is women out there right this second who is looking for help and hope…the more we talk the more these women don't have to suffer in silence like this.
I pray for this soul. I pray for this family.
This absolutely breaks my heart. I have read stories of Mothers taking their own life due to PPD before, but this story, really rocked me to my core. Maybe because I am completely over my PPD/A now and I can see…..that could have been me. That could have been any of us. What can be done to prevent this? Praying for her family and precious baby.
Kimberly,
I stumbled across this in my attempt to see what additional resources are out there for women struggling with this.
Kristi was my sister-in-law and honestly she had the love and support of her parents, my parents, me and her husband at almost all times. We all took turns staying with her (& her baby). She was on a 24-hour watch, just to provide support. In the last two weeks of her life she claimed to no longer be having suicidal thoughts, but we all kept watch anyhow. So that everyone here can understand how something like this can happen, she was suffering greatly. The sentiments were that she had "lost herself" "felt empty" "felt like she was on a bad drug trip" "didn't feel anything" "couldn't find herself". One afternoon, she said she was finally up and going to get into the shower. It was in that 20-30 minute period behind a locked bathroom door that she took her own life. This day had been very normal for her. She had been laying in bed most of the day, with someone periodically checking on her. She had talked with my brother for half an hour at lunch (again assuring him suicidal thoughts were gone). She had ordered lunch, talked on the phone to a friend, and seemed no different from any other day.
Anyhow, I just wanted to share a little bit. I do hope anyone suffering from this does have help. Kristi was lucky in that she had retired parents (and retired in-laws) and other family members who put work on hold, there to help out. I can't imagine many are as fortunate. For anyone who is witnessing someone struggle from postpartum depression/psychosis, be extra vigilant, extra proactive. Go with your loved ones to their psychiatrists and speak up. This is a very frightening illness and you are absolutely right, it does need to be spoken about and everyone needs to be educated.
Thank you for your prayers, as you can imagine our family is devastated.
These stories just break my heart. While I know it's different, I didn't suffer from PPD, I suffered from Post-Adoption Depression. It was a pretty scary time for me and it's definitely not something I talk about very often. The stigma that comes with mother's having PPD or PAD makes it that much more difficult to get treatment and help that is so vitally needed. Thanks for sharing!