PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Conversations about postpartum depression used to be taboo, and while things have improved in recent years, there are still many misconceptions about the condition.
A McCandless man who lost his wife has made it his mission to reduce stigma and raise awareness.
As Stephen Dashill looked at a photo of his wife, Alexis, he remembered her compassion, empathy, and love.
“I have so many great memories,” Stephen said. “More than anything, she always wanted to be a mother.”
She had no problems with her pregnancy and was excited to meet her daughter.
“The pregnancy was completely uneventful. It was just a celebratory nine months,” Stephen said.
Then, in August 2013, the day arrived to give birth to Adriana. That was the moment when everything changed for Alexis.
“When I saw Alexis in bed, it was like there was glass in her eyes and it was like she was gone. She was never the same again,” Stephen said.
Adriana’s birth began with a difficult birth, with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck multiple times. Alexis quickly fell into postpartum depression, PTSD, anxiety, and eventually psychosis.
Six weeks after giving birth, she took her own life. Alexis was only 30 years old.
But unlike many, Alexis did not suffer in silence.
“No one knew what to do with a woman like Alexis, and everywhere we went we were sitting there like a big mystery,” Stephen said.
After some time, Stephen founded the Alexis Joy Dashiell Foundation to help people like Alexis who feel lost and alone. He also played a key role in the development of the Alexis Joy Dakil Center for Perinatal Mental Health at Allegheny General’s West Penn Hospital, one of the first facilities in the region.
“What we set out to do was build a facility that we believed could save Alexis’ life if we had access to it,” Stephen said.
It was something that was desperately needed. Statistics show that one in seven new mothers will experience postpartum depression.
To date, the center has treated more than 20,000 women, and although there have been many improvements in this area, including the FDA’s approval of new puerperal drugs, Stephen said more needs to be done. .
“I hope this grows into something bigger, to make a bigger difference for women all over the world,” Adriana said.
Adriana is currently 11 years old. She is proud of her father for trying to prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
“It’s all about her and her daughter,” Stephen said.
Maternal suicide is the leading cause of maternal death in the United States. If you or someone you know needs support, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Additional resources can be found on the Foundation’s website here.
