Kassy's Kause Home Page

Why this Kause is everyone’s cause? Why no one is immune and learning the signs is so important? 

All the physical and emotional rollercoaster took a toll on Kassy’s health. She felt she was handling it well, but she questioned a lot of her thoughts. Although she had many that loved her, she felt no one understood what she was feeling. This made her feel more alone. Although at her appointments she was told that the baby and her were ok, no one questioned how she was feeling.

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On March 22, 2015, after a long, stressful, and emotional night, our beloved Kassy took her own life. Leaving family, friends, and loved ones confused, in shock, and hurt. Many of us not understanding what could have led her to take that action. Some of us had just spoken to her the day before. She had also made many plans for the days ahead... But after examining and learning about her feelings during her pregnancy, we learned of perinatal depression. She had no history of depression.

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She was our third daughter to have a baby and she was experiencing feelings that neither I or her sisters had ever experienced during pregnancy. Her world was a turmoil of guilt. Why was she feeling so distant, alone, scared and ashamed for not feeling 100% complete? 

This is what she always wanted to be: a mom. Why was she not feeling like everyone expects pregnant women to feel and look? (Glowing and happy.)

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We, her family, strive to bring attention and awareness to the different types of depressions that can appear during and after pregnancy. We have learned that the rapid increase and drop in hormone levels during and after pregnancy can disrupt brain chemistry and sometimes lead to depression. As we have learned, depression don’t discriminate on age, race, education or social status. No one is immune.

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The effects of not recognizing and treating depression can be very serious. Like in this situation, she is no longer with us. We will never fully understand how our body can be triggered under stressful situations. We need to know pregnancy is a delicate stage for women. It should be treated with a lot of attention and compassion towards women’s needs.

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All those that knew her, remember her as a lively young woman with dreams, goals, and plans in the future. She always put others before herself. She lived to help people. We continue to do as she would if she were here. This is how Kassy’s Kause was born. We hope that through this we can help other women and families who many be experiencing these feelings, educate themselves and those around them. We want people to learn the signs and recognize the red flags before it’s too late. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the signs on our symptoms page, please speak to someone and contact your provider. You deserve to be heard--speak up and let your voice be heard!

-Susan