PBS film, volunteer event to focus on post-partum

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island PBS will air “Raise the Curtain: Moving Through Darkness,” a film that focuses on post-partum depression, on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m. During the broadcast, an off-camera referral help line will be staffed by trained volunteers and staff from Families First Rhode Island and the Moms for Moms program.

“ ‘Raise the Curtain’ sheds light in a moving and creative way on a problem that afflicts a staggering number of women who suffer in silence with this misunderstood disorder,” said David W. Piccerelli, president of WSBE Rhode Island PBS. “This is an example of our commitment to air more local programming that is relevant to our audience.”

Produced by Rhode Island filmmaker Soren Sorensen, “Raise the Curtain: Moving Through Darkness” features stories of Rhode Island families who have experienced postpartum depression. The film juxtaposes these interviews with original choreography by obstetrician gynecologist Dr. Colleen Cavanaugh, and performed by Part of the Oath. The expressive ballet movements portray a woman’s internal struggle with the disorder in order to raise awareness and decrease the stigma related to this misunderstood mood disorder.

“The symptoms and stigma related to postpartum depression are, I think, largely unknown to most of us,” said filmmaker Soren Sorensen. “Like many devastating life experiences, postpartum depression is essentially ignored until families are ambushed by it.”

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Families First Rhode Island works to secure and nurturing parent-child relationships that are the foundation of every child’s overall well-being and future success with Moms For Moms, a program to help mothers who are pregnant or recently had a baby. Jamie Puleo, executive director of Families First Rhode Island, observed that some of these mothers could be at risk for or may be suffering from postpartum depression.

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