Following the tragic death of a local police officer’s wife in Massachusetts, family, and friends are working to raise awareness about postpartum depression.
Ariana Sutton, a resident of Norton, sadly took her own life on May 31, just nine days after giving birth to twins, as reported by ABC affiliate WCVB-TV and The Enterprise.
The 36-year-old, who cherished her time spent with family, had three children with her husband, Tyler Sutton, who serves as a police officer in Easton, according to her obituary.
Police Chief Keith Boone shared with WCVB-TV, “Two weeks ago, we were congratulating him and preparing cards. Now, we find ourselves getting ready for a funeral.”
Jason Sutton, Ariana’s brother-in-law, described her as a “very gentle, kind human being.” He spoke about Ariana’s strong desire to have children and her immense joy surrounding the birth of the premature twins. “She lived to be a mother,” he shared with The Enterprise.
A GoFundMe page has been created to support the family and shed light on the challenges Ariana faced with her mental health after the births of Everly Irene and Rowan Stephen. The page explained that these challenges placed an overwhelming strain on Ariana’s well-being, despite her persistent efforts to seek help.
Kiley Sutton, Ariana’s sister-in-law, expressed the family’s heartbreak in a Facebook post, emphasizing the irreplaceable void left by Ariana’s absence.
Chief Boone mentioned the long journey ahead for Tyler and urged others to educate themselves about the impact of postpartum depression (PPD). Catherine Sutton, another sister-in-law, emphasized the importance of seeking help and sharing their story to help prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy, as stated in an interview with The Enterprise.
Postpartum depression affects approximately one in seven individuals after childbirth, according to the National Institute of Health. Unlike the “baby blues,” which tend to subside within a couple of weeks, postpartum depression can persist longer and significantly impair a woman’s ability to return to her normal functioning.
The Office on Women’s Health acknowledges that some women may not disclose their symptoms due to feelings of embarrassment, shame, or guilt. They may also worry about being perceived as inadequate mothers.
Ariana had co-owned Starline Academy for the Performing Arts in Stoughton with her sister for the past eight years. She dedicated herself to inspiring children through the joys of dance, as highlighted in her obituary. She was also a member of the Greater Brockton Dance Teachers Association.
A GoFundMe campaign has already raised over $263,000 to support the family during this difficult time. The twins are currently receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton and are expected to remain there until the end of the month, as reported by The Enterprise.
Ariana is survived by her husband, Tyler, and their three children: 4-year-old Melody Ki and the newborn twins, Everly and Rowan. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
