Many are left wondering about what might have driven a mother to kill her child in Duxbury, Massachusetts.
Lindsay Clancy is accused in the strangulation of her three children. Two of her children were killed and one was injured. Clancy attempted suicide Tuesday. She faces two counts for homicide, three for strangulation, and three charges of assault and battery using a dangerous weapons. After being admitted to the hospital, she remains in police custody.
Please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to help you or someone that you know. By calling 988Call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741 anytime.
Sources claim that Clancy was suffering from postpartum Depression. While authorities haven’t said whether that was a factor behind her alleged crimes or not, the tragedy has brought out many who are passionate about an issue advocates feel is not being discussed enough.
Heather Martin, a maternal mental healthcare advocate, said that “I can feel what their family is going through.”
Martin, who is also a Dartmouth Health Children’s pediatrics medical assistant, lost her older sibling in 2009. Martin stated that her sister passed away three weeks after giving birth. The family later found out that this was due to postpartum psychosis.
“It’s a rare condition. It’s a break from the reality. Martin stated that Martin believes my sister was not in her right head when she took her own life.
Martin made it her mission increase screenings and trainings in maternal mental health conditions that affect one fifth of women.
Martin stated, “I believe if there were specialized trained providers for mothers and places to go, I wouldn’t have lost my sister.”
Serena Rosa also wants to help. The Postpartum Doctor was her idea to offer the support that she felt was missing in the medical system.
Rosa stated, “What we are seeing is an extreme example but it is also a red signal that there are many people suffering.”
Jamie Zahlaway Belsito created the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance. This non-profit is committed to advocating for policies and resources that support all women. They were instrumental in the creation of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. It provides confidential, anonymous support to all pregnant and postpartum women. You can reach the hotline at 1-833-9HELP4MOMS.
“It doesn’t mean you’re not the best parent or father. It is just that you are human. We need to let people know it’s OK not to feel well, and it’s OK for them to seek out help,” Zahlaway Belsito explained.
