Lakeport >> May is Perinatal Depression Awareness Month in Lake County, and Mother-Wise will hold a premier screening of the film “Dark Side of the Full Moon” on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Soper Reese Theatre.
“Having a baby is supposed to be the happiest time of a woman’s life, but things don’t always go the way we plan,” Jaclyn Ley, of Mother-Wise, said.
Dark Side of the Full Moon captures the experiences of women faced with postpartum depression, and reveals how the problem is mostly unrecognized or dismissed. Tickets to the screening are available at no charge by calling Mother-Wise, 349-1210.
One in five women has their world turned upsidedown by perinatal mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Research indicates certain risk factors, like poverty and isolation, can contribute to higher rates of perinatal mood disorders, according to Lay.
“With that in mind, it becomes easily apparent that Lake County’s moms face higher overall risk,” she said. Mother-Wise is a community service organization that helps moms find and maintain support. The group stores donations of extra and used baby items for moms in need, and hosts weekly meetings to connect with other mothers in the area et tips for optimal bonding, and learn more about other local programs and services.
These groups include childcare for older siblings, so that mom and baby can have the best possible time together, as well as a companion program that provides a dependable, trained volunteer who becomes a mom’s dedicated supporter, including house calls by arrangement.
Mother-Wise is funded by Lake County Behavioral Health-Proposition 63—The Mental Health Services Act and Lake County Children’s Council.
The Soper Reese Community Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St. in Lakeport.
