In 2008, Maureen Fura Daniels had her first suicidal thought. An hour later, she found out she was pregnant. When she told her gynecologist she was sad and felt depressed, she said, “you should be happy, you’re having a baby.” So Maureen started asking for help elsewhere. Over the next few months the suicidal thoughts turned homicidal and Maureen spoke with 29 different health care professionals before she found out that she was suffering from a severe mood disorder; one of the leading complications associated with pregnancy.
Now, Maureen and fellow PPD survivor, Jennifer Silliman, are getting ready to release a documentary, Dark Side of the Full Moon. Dark Side of the Full Moon delves into the unseen world of maternal mental health in the U.S. It will uncover the disconnect within the medical community to effectively screen, refer, and treat the 1.3 million mothers affected each year, giving a face and voice to the countless women who have suffered in silence.
I am fortunate enough to be on a team with Michelle Carrega and Stephanie Cotta Love designing the action tool kit that will be released with the film. We are designing the tool kit using human centered design in hopes that women, mothers, health care professionals, insurance agencies, and policy makers will be able to help change the conversation around motherhood.
Watch the extended trailer Dark Side of the Full Moon here.
Please watch Maureen’s TedxMonterey Talk about her experience with PPD.
Danielle J Steer 