A woman who jumped off on Niagara Falls with her two children in her arms was reportedly suffering from postpartum depression, according to family members.
Rumors about Chianti Means mental state spread online after her death and the death of her two children Roman Rossman, 9, and 4-month-old Mecca Means. But family members were quick to dispel rumors that Means took her own life and the life of her children because of a bad breakup with the father of her daughter.
Means’s cousin Bierra Hamilton, asserted heartbreak was not the motive behind Means’s actions. She claims the 33-year-old mother was suffering from postpartum depression. This is a common type of depression that many parents – both mums and dads – experience after having a baby.
“Understand this – postpartum [depression] is very real and needs a cure. Her death wasnt over a man. My cousin was silently fighting depression alone,” Hamilton said.
She swiftly responded to people spreading false information about the situation involving her cousin, who sometimes went under the name of Diamond Scott.
The Facebook post had read: “Diamond Scott did not end her life over no man. Let’s just be clear. It’s no evidence of that. YALL BE LOUD AND WRONG.”
A close friend was left reeling after the tragedy, revealing she felt “sick to her stomach”.
Postpartum depression is a prevalent mental health condition that affects many new parents, including both mothers and fathers, within the first year of their child’s birth.
Postnatal depression can start any time in the first year after giving birth. The NHS says signs – in men and women – can include any of or a combination of the following;
If in the United States, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to 988 Lifeline
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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