What people are saying about our book...

I feel very blessed to have met you, and that you, Tania and Carla had the courage and the perseverance to write the Smiling Mask. It has had such a profound affect on my life and on those that are close to me. My mom had ordered it before it was even printed, and once I received it, I read the entire book in one night and cried through the entire thing. I could relate with each one of you on some level! So again, I thank you...I am not sure where I would be had it not been for your book.  You are changing lives and that is truly special!

Ladies...thank you all for your courage to write "The Smiling Mask."  I joined Sally's Postpartum Support Group in April about 3 weeks after my son was born.  The group was a huge factor in my getting better.  Sally had told me about your book and I just bought it the other day and am halfway through.  It's so nice to read about other women who have struggled.  It's comforting to see that strong, intelligent, self sufficient women are prone to this horrible illness, but can get through it.  When you picture being a new mom....you don't usually picture the tears, anxiety, sadness, and anger.  I think it's so important for us to speak openly and honestly about this illness so that it is no longer taboo.  I wish I had read your book prior to having my little one.  Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all for your honesty.  It truly means a lot.  I wish you all lots of love and happiness!

"Dear Elita, I just finished reading "The Smiling Mask." I am blown away at the courage it must have taken for all of you to tell your full stories. To share your personal struggle so candidly, without fear of being judged was unbelievable. I don't know if I could of done that myself. I too had horrible moments of shame and depression when my first son was born. But you took your turmoil and turned it into a path of healing -- A path that many moms want to walk down but have no idea that it is there. Thank you. Little Ella Bella will look back and know that her mom was a pioneer for other women. She is a very lucky little girl."

"I read your book this weekend and thought it was great, of course! Well written, well presented, very informative, and courageously honest.  I was nervous to read it before because, although I didn't go through PPD, I expected that I'd relate to some of your, Elita's, and Carla's struggles - which I did. Also, I went through a couple of really low points (that I'd consider depression) as a teenager and then again when I was engaged... and I didn't want to deal with them again. Your book helped me learn about overcoming depression and other personal barriers. I'm so glad to have read it!"

"I checked out your website and found it very impressive.  It's wonderful that you are using your postpartum experience to help other women.  I wish I had had your book when I was going through it myself.  "The Smiling Mask" is a good way to put it.  Hardly anyone knew what I was going through and I didn't understand why I was so depressed when I had the most wonderful baby which I had wanted desperately!  Finally, I went on anti-depressants and that helped me calm down and sleep--and going back to work at 8 months was the best thing for me.  All the best..."

~ Ruth

"Thanks so much Elita! I also want to let you know how wonderful it's been to work with you. I've really enjoyed e-mailing you back and forth and hearing yours, Carla's, and Tania's stories. You three are wonderful people. You have such a positive, warm attitude, and I know your story is going to keep inspiring women every-where. I'm glad I had the chance to help you share it!  Thank you again, and definitely keep in touch!"

"The Smiling Mask is a shockingly honest read.  I did not expect to find such raw truth and emotion.  I admit I am a little scared after reading it, but I am informed and that is most important.  I truly feel that Elita, Tania and Carla's stories are a must read for all expectant mothers.  Knowledge is power and it couldn't be more true than in this case.  I feel prepared, knowing the triggers, pre-cursors and contributing factors that can fuel postpartum difficulties. Thank you for your courage and strength and for just being you when sharing your stories (I had some happy and some sad tears!)  Words can not express my gratitude."

"You, Tania and Carla have done a remarkable thing.  It is courageous beyond words to share your life experience, inspire others with your story and then reach out to help.  Great job and thanks for joining us."

 

"I read your book, freaked me out! lol. But it also prepared me for what could possibly happen to me, or the many online friends I made on my birth group. I love being prepared. It helped me be supportive to a woman on the group that had the courage to tell us she was having a hard time. We got her to go to a doctor and to talk to her husband. Because she came forward another woman felt comfortable enough to come forward and get help, too. So, thanks!"

~ Sarah Windrum of Regina, SK

"Almost through the book! You women are amazing! What a wonderful resource for mothers and fathers, should be on the coffee table of every child bearing family. I found it useful even for myself, I never went through PPD but I have definitely been through depression and I found your book a useful tool to get through my own depression. It definitely changed my thought process and will make a difference in my life and for that I thank you! Your book makes us see that it's okay to reach out no matter what you may be going through, and finding people you connect with to help you through the tough times. It is okay to rip off the mask - taking it off makes us stronger - keeping it on ruins who we are on the inside and keeps us from growing from the experience. All my best to you and your families and thank you!"

"Over the holidays, I finished your book!!  Wow!!  I want to congratulate you and your co-authors on a very moving and heart felt book.  I hope you all have great success with sharing your stories and helping other women who have lived or will live this nightmare.  God bless you!!"

~ Allison

 

"Things are still up and down, but all in all I think I am doing much better.  I am finally responding to the medication and my mom recently read your book and has been very supportive through all this.  I got a tattoo last week, I know that may sound a little drastic, but a lot of my suicidal thoughts centered around cutting my wrists, and as a response to that, I had a beautiful butterfly tattooed on my wrist.  The mark of a survivor!  My butterfly is also a symbol of my transformation into motherhood. I suppose that a butterfly must mourn their loss of caterpillar-hood.  So it is with my pre-mommy days.  Now I am slowly discovering my wings and realizing that my new life has transformed me into something completely different but inherently better.  I am ready to enjoy Christmas with my little family."

~ from a mom wanting to share her experience the best way she could!

 

"I bought the book yesterday and could not put it down until I was done reading the whole thing!! You are amazing and inspiring women. Your husbands are inspirational men as well. Thank you so much for giving so deeply of yourselves and bringing to light the fact that this disease is very real and society needs to talk about it. I am so glad that you have all removed your masks and will inspire other women like myself to do the same!!"

"I finished your book since Saturday afternoon. It was very... hmmm.. how can I say.... it was a very heartaching book to read.  It was great, it was fantastic, it was very sad, it's brutal, it's understanding, it's warm and caring, it's honest, it's tearful, it's reaching out, it's lending hands. I don't know if I would ever find the right words to describe it.  And YES! the husbands are unbelievably fantastic... they rock!

"...actually just completely finished the Smiling Mask book, and WOW..........I have no words for the bible for PPD....you guys just aced every experience of PPD a woman can possibly have, with down to earth definitions, and down-to-earth how-to strategies..."

"Courage, grace, hope and humour are gifts you are giving other women on similar journeys. Thank you for having the courage to share your story."

"What a creative and courageous contribution to women's health. And, what a valuable resource for so many other women and their friends and families. For far too long, post-partum depression has been shrouded in silence and shame.  These stories from women who have lived with this, offers hope, insights and a sense of "good mothering" so that other mothers don't feel so alone and lonely."

"It was very courageous and vulnerable and I was proud to know you as I read it.   I felt you handled everything, especially other people, in the story with integrity and sensitivity.   My heart broke for you as I imagined the isolation you felt in your darkness, but your story is full of hope and light, and I can't wait to hear you share it on Thursday night. "

"My rating... excellent!  Sincere heart felt, and uplifting inspite of the fact that the story is about you at your worst.  I'll say that again... Uplifting, that is the tone I felt through out, and gently spiritual.  Congratulations on the gift you are about to give others."
  

"WOW!!! Bravo! I couldn't stop reading.  I cried and I laughed.  You told it like it was and it is.  I AM SO PROUD! Thank you for the honour of reading this draft. I feel very privileged and special and thank you for that.  I will see you on the 10th and hopefully a few other friends.  But for the Grace of God, neither I nor any of my closest girlfriends have experienced PPD but one never knows when they might need the valuable information you are offering...we all have daughters.  LOVE YA!"

~ Colleen Oshowy, R.N.

"I love the fairytale that begins the book, in many ways it actually reminded me of myself, I think we all do that at times, put on the mask, knowing that eventually we have to take it off and really begin to look at ourselves. I have found that, anger and fear and guilt make you ugly, you can either cover it up and let it control your life, or throw out that mask and let go of those feelings, eventually that beautiful person shines through! Great job Carla! I read your story, I am glad things are going better for you, and I know things will only get better, you are a wonderful mother and friend, and you are great because you are using the tools you gained through your experience to help others. Cheers!"

~ Jamie

"We're lucky to benefit from your experiences and sharing how you made it through such a difficult time. I have two girls and with the first didn't experience any PPD, but with my second I noticed something quite different in my affect towards my new baby. As I look back I recall very different responses from people close to me and I think it's from lack of understanding. So thank you for doing something to help people understand what some women can't explain.

"If the book is anything like last night, I cannot wait to read it!! Elita, you did such a great job last night. You were so cute and heartwarming that I wanted to run up and hug you like a million times. You were casual/comfortable, funny, and inspiring all at the same time.  And your friends did such a great job, too! I wish every woman could hear your stories. I think they'd find a little bit of themselves in each of you. I was so moved that I cried the whole way home. You should all be so proud of yourselves."

Behind The Mask

Valuable Resources

Prevent & Reduce

In the Media

Acknowledgements

What people are saying about...