Free Screening: When the Bough Breaks: a documentary about postpartum depression

May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month. Having a baby is a BIG life event. It’s natural to experience a range of emotions during pregnancy and after giving birth. But sometimes, these emotions can be severe and debilitating. Maternal or “perinatal” mental health complications such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and OCD are the number one complication of childbirth and pregnancy and are a leading cause of maternal death. These conditions can can be occur anytime during pregnancy up to one year after giving birth. They are too-often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, with only about 15% of people receiving the help they need. Left untreated, these conditions can lead to long-term negative impacts on mother, infant and family. to shed light on this public health issue.

When The Bough Breaks takes us on an eye-opening journey where we learn from direct experience, find answers and break the silence. This free public screening is intended to heighten awareness, increase education, decrease stigma, normalize screening and detection, and empower women and their families to discuss mental health concerns and seek help, while letting women know that they are not alone. The film will be followed by a Q AND A panel of mental health professionals and perinatal mental health advocates and survivors.

Content warning: This film contains candid, first-hand discussions about mental health disorders, suicide and infanticide that may be disturbing to viewers.

Category: Lifestyle | Women | Pregnancy