Family and friends in Massachusetts are looking to raise awareness around postpartum depression after the death of a local police officer’s wife.
Go Fund Me
The 36-year-old, whose “greatest joy was spending time with her family,” shared three children with Easton police officer Tyler Sutton, per herobituary.
Her husband’s brother, Jason Sutton, described Ariana as a “very gentle, kind human being.”
“Ariana wanted these kids so badly,” he toldThe Enterpriseof the twins, who were born a month early. “She lived to be a mother.”
According to aGoFundMe pageset up on behalf of the family, the births of Everly Irene and Rowan Stephen “brought unforeseen challenges” for the “vibrant and devoted mother,” which put “an immense strain on Ariana’s mental health."
“Despite her relentless efforts to seek help, the burden of postpartum depression became too much to bear,” read a message on the page.
“Our hearts are broken as we navigate life without Ariana, an irreplaceable member of our family,” wrote Kiley Sutton, Ariana’s sister-in-law, in aFacebook poston Monday.
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“It’s so important that you ask for help,” sister-in-law Catherine Sutton said during an interview withThe Enterprise. “If another family’s able to avoid what we’re going through right now, it’s worth it to share our story.”
“Some women don’t tell anyone about their symptoms,” according to theOffice on Women’s Health, noting that new mothers “may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or guilty about feeling depressed” after giving birth. Additionally, “they may also worry they will be seen as bad mothers."
For the past 8 years, Ariana and her sister co-owned Starline Academy for the Performing Arts in Stoughton, where she worked there for five years before becoming an owner, according to her obituary. She was a member of the Greater Brockton Dance Teachers Association, as well.
“Ariana thrived at inspiring children with the joys of dance,” her obituary read.
As of Tuesday, more than $263,000 has been raised via GoFundMe to support the family.
Her twins are currently being cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, where they will likely remain till the end of the month, according toThe Enterprise.
source: people.com
