Do You Know a Mom Who's "More Than Blue"?

Dear Working Parents,
​
I've been in that dark place postpartum, feeling “more than blue” and undiagnosed with a perinatal mood disorder. In retrospect, it should have been easy for my medical providers to spot my incredibly tearful and anxious state. That is, if anyone had screened me for it.

​The Mindful Return program probably wouldn't exist if I hadn't fallen into a hole of anxiety and despair. And yet, I don't wish this experience on anyone.

I'm sure this is why I care deeply about recognizing Maternal Mental Health Month. (Yep, that's now – the whole month of May!) And also about why I care about sharing helpful resources about maternal mental health with anyone who will listen. Today: it's a documentary.

A few weeks ago, I went to the Bethesda Row Cinema with a group of amazing perinatal mental health professionals for a screening of the new documentary More Than Blue. The film, made by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), is: beautifully produced, clear and informative, and deeply human.

I walked away saying I wished all new parents - no, everyone who ever interacts with a new parent! - could see these stories of what perinatal mood disorders (including postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum psychosis) really look like. Up close and personal. So many more people would be able to spot the signs and know what type of help is available if they saw this film.

We had a discussion after the screening. One of the therapists in the audience brought her teenage daughter to see the film with us, and her daughter said, "I wish they showed this to us as part of sex ed in high school. Mood disorders are the #1 complication of pregnancy. Yet we don't even get taught about them!" Brilliantly put.

You Can Now Watch More Than Blue from Home

I'm happy to report that you can now stream More Than Blue in a whole bunch of places (including Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, and more). Will you watch it and share it with someone who has a new mom in their lives? Do let me know your thoughts about it if you watch. I'd love to hear from you.

Other helpful resources to know about:

• ​The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
• ​Postpartum Support International: "You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well."
• ​Normal New Working Mom Anxiety or Something More? 4 Questions to Ask Yourself​
• ​Postpartum Depression and the Return to Work After Baby​

Read the whole Mindful Return blog post here.​

June 4, 12–1pm Eastern: Fair Share - Join me in conversation with Brad Johnson and David Smith. In this important and timely conversation, we’ll explore how outdated workplace norms continue to hold both women and men back — and what it takes to build a more gender-fair, caregiving-supportive workplace. We’ll talk about the hidden ways traditional expectations around work and caregiving still show up, what gender-inclusive leaders actually do to create meaningful change, why supporting caregiving is a business advantage — not a barrier, and the critical role managers play in shaping a more equitable and sustainable workplace. Fair Share offers a clear roadmap for leaders ready to rethink how work works — for everyone. Register here.