In the summer of 2022, we announced our plans to move forward with the production of a documentary on postpartum depression, More Than Blue. It was our hope to tell the stories of a diverse number of women across the country who were suffering or who had recovered from postpartum psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety and psychosis. Their stories are too often unseen, unheard, or misunderstood.
Three years later, the film is “locked” and we have had private screenings in Boston, New York, and New Orleans. I still marvel at the courage of the women who participated in the film as they and those close to them shared their stories of navigating an illness which remains the most common complication in modern obstetrics. I am also grateful to my colleagues and perinatal psychiatric disorder advocates who also shared their perspectives on postpartum depression (PPD) and who spoke to the extent to which the illness is treatable with an array of tools including psychotherapies, medications and support groups.
Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to screen More Than Blue at the annual meeting of Postpartum Support International (PSI). During some conversation with audience members following the screening, I shared an impression that we have come a long way over the last decade in terms of screening patients for postpartum depression but also described the finding that the majority of women experiencing conditions like postpartum depression, anxiety or psychosis still go undiagnosed or untreated. We need to do better. The trailer to More Than Blue can be seen here:
We look forward to bringing More Than Blue to your local community. If you’re interested in hosting a screening—whether at a hospital, conference, clinic, community gathering or virtual event – please sign up via our interest form below.
Join us as we raise awareness, reduce stigma & support families affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders across the world.
Sign Up to Host a Screening Here
Lee S. Cohen, M.D.
Director, Center for Women’s Mental Health
Massachusetts General Hospital
Edmund and Carroll Carpenter Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Executive Producer/Producer More Than Blue
