Kannur: Divya Johny, a woman from Kerala who became a symbol of the unseen psychological toll of motherhood, died on Monday following a suspected suicide attempt. Divya, originally from Kollam, had come into the public eye after the tragic death of her infant daughter — an incident that later led to widespread awareness of the condition of 'postpartum depression' in the state.

The incident, which occurred in 2022, initially drew outrage when news emerged that Divya had taken the life of her three-and-a-half-month-old baby.

However, the narrative shifted when it was revealed she had been suffering from severe postpartum depression, worsened by emotional abuse from her husband’s family. Her candid testimony in the aftermath led to a broader public understanding of a condition many women experience but few speak about.

According to police, Divya recently attempted suicide at her husband’s home in Kannur. Though she initially received treatment, she is believed to have suffered a heart attack after returning home. The Alakode police have launched an investigation into the circumstances of her death.

Background

Divya was a bright and promising student who married the man she loved. But married life quickly turned difficult, marked by mental and emotional mistreatment from her in-laws. Her pregnancy offered a brief glimpse of hope, but after giving birth, the neglect and abuse continued.

Only four days after childbirth, she returned to her husband's home with her newborn daughter — and soon after, her mental health sharply declined. In a moment of deep psychological distress, Divya first attempted to harm the baby by dipping the child in a bucket, but stopped herself. Tragically, when she relapsed into another episode, she smothered the child with a pillow.

The act took place at her family home in Kundara. Her father found the room locked upon returning home. When she eventually opened the door, he found the baby unresponsive. The child was declared dead at the hospital.

Following the death of her baby, Divya was taken into police custody. During her time in care, mental health professionals diagnosed her with severe postpartum depression. After undergoing extensive treatment, she gradually recovered and began rebuilding her life.

In the years that followed, she became known to many across Kerala through a series of candid interviews in which she spoke openly about her experiences and mental health struggles.