June 1, 2022

This May, Drexel’s National Perinatal Association Student Society (NPASS) and Maternal and Child Health Student Organization (MCHSO) members got together to watch Year One, a documentary short that focuses on the filmmaker Erin’s postpartum journey. Along with being a filmmaker, Erin is a mother struggling with postpartum depression (PPD).

Attendees participated both in person and virtually. Afterwards Dr. Chavis Patterson, Director of Psychosocial Services at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, moderated a lively and important discussion about the documentary, its implications, and important takeaways.

Further, Dr. Patterson was able to provide further education on the risk factors for and warning signs of PPD, as well as ways to help those who are struggling.

Said Dr. Patterson about the event: “As a community and faculty advisor for the Drexel NPASS group, I was pleased to be the moderator for the viewing of the documentary entitled Year One. While Erin’s journey through her postpartum depression was heart-breaking to watch, it was also inspiring as she courageously reached out and found the support she needed. We had a great interactive audience, both in person and online. I hope this the first of many joint activities hosted by the NPASS, which is part of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Student Organization (MCHSO).”