What people are saying about our presentations...

The ladies who wrote The Smiling Mask came into my classroom at the Adult Campus to speak directly about their experiences with Post Partum Depression. We had a mixture of Biology 30 and Psychology 30 students. Some of these students already have a child (or children),others had hopes of entering a career in health and some had no idea what PPD actually was. Regardless of situations, everyone came away with something. We watched the documentary first so that the students could hear the stories. Then Elita and Tania (Carla was unable to attend) answered questions. We were excited to hear about the changes in postnatal care that they were a part of. This really goes to show that adversity in life can prove to have a very positive outcome. I expected the female students to learn from this presentation. I think that what surprised me though was the comments which I received from the male students. Some had older sisters who may have had PPD but one in particular talked about his mother and how it had affected her throughout her life, as it was left untreated.  Again,  a big thanks for taking the time to share their stories with us. This is definitely an issue which affects the whole community.

Hello Ladies,  you most definitely wont remember who I am but I can promise I'll never forget who you are.  You did a presentation and a viewing of your documentary in my women and gendered studies class with Pat, today. I wanted to tell you, you two ladies made a huge impact on me. I found your stories and your documentary extremely touching.  I felt emotional at the end of the class, you did a wonderful job of really showing the world how women with PPD struggle and what it truly takes to reach out to women in our community and generate awareness.  I think what you ladies are doing is fantastic and I know for sure you will find great success in your journey.  I hope you guys know, YOU HAVE TRULY TOUCHED PEOPLES' HEARTS. I am going to do my best to keep the ball rolling with your message on awareness and support for women.  I actually contacted a student (friend) of mine who is very interested in researching mental illness, she is looking for practicum work in the health/kinesiology field.  I shared your story with her and she was so moved and interested in the research and fight you have began she is contacting Sally Elliott (the lady you mentioned in class) and wants to dedicate her final practicum to helping raise awareness on PPD.  Our community is very lucky to have women like you, so dedicated and passionate about helping other women. I hope you hold your heads very high and are proud of yourselves, you are truly making a difference in this world.  Thank you for sharing your story <3

It was a sincere pleasure to have The Smiling Mask team present at our 2nd annual Association for Research on Mothering / Mamapalooza conference “Mothers Gone Mad: Motherhood and Madness: Oppression and Resistance” in New York City this past May. Although many of our membership/conference presenters are academics, activists and graduate students, Tania, Carla and Elita’s brave and personal stories of Post-Partum Depression, Post-Partum OCD, and Post-Partum Psychosis gave new rise to advocacy by truly “unmasking” the personal as political*. Our conference participants were re-educated, enlightened, and ultimately, absolutely floored. The conference was all the better for their participation. A truly amazing presentation from three amazing women. 
  * "The Personal is Political" is a feminist mantra that began in the 60s....it simply means that shared/voiced/written women's experiences ARE political...by sharing our experiences/pain/challenges/victories with other women = a political act...especially since traditionally women's voices have been silenced/marginalized and, of course, in the case of Post-Partum Depression, this is doubly true.  So what I'm saying is that by virtue of sharing your stories without editing them/lightening them up/changing anything - just speaking your truth, your presentation exemplifies "the personal as political." The three of you are advocates for change = political as well.

~ Such a powerful session. Hearing all these stories will make a difference hopefully in recognizing PPD & how it can be prevented or treated if necessary.

~ Touching, eye opening, heart warming. Your little ones have awesome Mommies and Daddies. Thank you for your openness & honesty.

~ Very good! Good hearing about it from people who have experienced PPD.

~ WOW!

~ FANTASTIC!

~ GREAT!!!

~ Amazing

~ Very powerful presentation

~ Exceptional!

~ Incredible / Absolutely Incredible

~ Awesome!!

~ Inspiring

~ Very moving

~ All the words I think of writing cannot sum up the impact this presentation had on me & in turn, will have on my practice. You guys need to get on Oprah!

~ Thanks so much for having the courage to tell us your stories.

~ This should be required reading for all health providers. From a personal and professional perspective, thank you for sharing. This is must know info.

~ Unbelievable stories, extremely sad, truthful, puts a face to the disorder, three very brave women!!

~ It makes me re-think how I do discharge teaching about Postpartum depression.

~ I can’t even begin to describe how your presentation has moved me. I wish you all the Best! I Thank you for sharing this with me. I will think of you when I’m visiting parents & listen with my heart!

~ As a prenatal educator, I won’t be skimming over PPD and skipping psychosis any longer!

~ Your presentation has helped me become much more aware of PPD etc. The personal stories have really made me feel a lot more empathetic & understanding. Thanks!

~ Something I can not forget and will always guide my practice – HUGE IMPACT

~ Very moving presentation!! Something we should all be more aware of & understanding about.

~ Bless your bravery at sharing your voice and opening a forum for other Moms and Dads to share their stories.

~ Thank you so much for the presenters for sharing their emotional & heart wrenching stories. As a nurse in an OB/GYNE clinical, I see many PP women & always ask them how they are doing, but you can be sure I’ll be listening even harder now to their answers.

~ Excellent presentation – touched my heart – very personable – a presentation I will always remember.

~ First hand experiences & accounts help one understand the emotional journey, the psychosis of postpartum and the amazing support of the husbands.

~ Nice to hear their personal experience – I shared their tears!

~ This was an eye-opener to understand the despair these mothers feel.

~ A very brave presentation & exposure to postpartum psychosis.

~ Eye opening. I will never forget your stories, they are frightening, gut wrenching and your journey toward recovery...inspirational!

Behind The Mask

Valuable Resources

Prevent & Reduce

In the Media

Acknowledgements

What people are saying about...