The heartbroken family of a young mum who died by suicide just weeks after the birth of her second child have said more needs to be done to help those battling post-natal depression.
Shaciara McDowell, 18, passed away on Monday, September 7, just four weeks after the birth of her son Cáhir following a battle with post-natal depression.
The teenager from Ballymena, in Co Antrim, had suffered with depression following the birth of her first daughter, Eire, one, but her family say the system did not put in place the necessary precautions to help her this time.
Her sister Vanessa told Belfast Live that the illness again struck Shaciara in the first few weeks after birth, but this time she couldn't see a way out.
She said: "Her post-natal depression kind of kicked in around three weeks, so it was quite quick.
"She also suffered with post-natal depression with her first child and it too set in quick, and I think that is what's most upsetting, the system knew she suffered the first time and they should have just been there a lot more of her second time round.
"They should of (sic) had things in place for her even before she gave birth."
A fundraising page has now been set up in a bid to help support Shaciara's two young children.
Vanessa added: "It's awful, the whole situation is just absolutely awful. He (Baby Cahir) will never forget her, she will always live on in us and he will know everything about her, they both will, and how much she loved them."
Vanessa, 27, the eldest of nine siblings, said her sister was good at 'pulling up the mask'.
She added: "Shaciara was a bit like us all I suppose sometimes, she didn't want to burden anyone with her problems and even if she did bring it up she would be like, 'it's alright though, I'm fine' she didn't want to talk about it but that's just the place she was in, in her head.
"Shaciara was an absolutely brilliant mummy, she was so sassy and just full of personality, she was just so lovely, I can't even describe her, she was just my sister and she meant the world to us all.
"She was given anti-depressants but they weren't helping."
Vanessa hopes by sharing her sister's heartbreaking story that more women will seek help and more will be done in terms of practical support for mums battling post-natal depression.
She said: "It's awful that women don't get the support that they need, there are so many women with post-natal depression who just don't get the help and they're ashamed and like my mummy said, there is just this image of the perfect mother all over the place and the reality isn't like that.
"The support from everyone has been overwhelming and all we want is that awareness to be raised we want women to know that isn't the only answer, there is help available."
Addressing any mums feeling like they are struggling and need help, Vanessa added: "Just keep going, don't buy into the stigma of medication makes you weak, if you have cancer you would treat yourself for that cancer, the brain is just as important, look after your brain."
Donations to help Shaciara's children can be made via the Just Giving page here.
If you are struggling, don't suffer in silence - you can contact the Samaritans for free, non-judgemental conversation at any time of the day or night on 116 123 or text 087 260 9090 (standard text rates apply).
Alternatively, email jo@samaritans.ie or visit their website to find your nearest local branch.
