“Mockingbird is a black comedy about mental health, that shines a light on the experience of new mums who may be struggling. In Mockingbird, writer/actor Lisa Brickell uses her own family’s experience and my research into historical healthcare records, to tell the stories of four generations of women as they become mothers. The purpose of Mockingbird is to educate both healthcare professionals and the community about mental distress after childbirth. To do this we want to make Mockingbird as accessible as possible to everyone, and the best way to do this is to make a film to broaden Mockingbird’s reach.” Dr Diana Jefferies: School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University.
Although the period after the birth of a child is considered to be one of the happiest times during a woman’s life, we know that 1 in 5 women experience mental distress during the first year of their baby’s life. 20% of new mums who experience depression, anxiety or psychosis have an increased risk of suicide during the first six months of motherhood. And the bond between the mother and the child can be compromised, leading to life long psychological problems for both.
Recent research shows that many new mums are reluctant to disclose symptoms of mental distress because:
It’s supposed to a happy time and women feel ashamed of not feeling happy all the time.
Many women are afraid that they will lose custody of their babies if they admit they are having difficulties caring for their babies.
When women do see health professionals, they find there is a focus on the baby’s needs, and nobody asks how they are feeling.
We want to raise awareness about how some of our new mums might need a helping hand so they can care for their babies as they recover.
“Mockingbird is a clever, sensitive exploration of mental health. Funny and moving, it sheds light on an issue that affects many people but remains taboo even in our modern society.”
– Sam Baran, Sambaranmedia, Sydney
Your donations will go towards script adaptation, crewing, cast, production equipment, catering, production design, costuming, as well as marketing and promotion costs. This is a tight budget but with your support, we can bring this project to fruition and the film of Mockingbird can be presented at film festivals and in workshop formats so that the issues of postnatal distress can be highlighted.
For more information head to our Facebook page: Mockingbird – A black comedy about mental health
