Louis Theroux – Mothers on the Edge: What to expect from the new documentary and when it’s on BBC Two Theroux’s latest documentary will see him talking to three women who have experienced postpartum mental illness

Award winning film maker Louis Theroux has returned with a new documentary focusing on postpartum mental illness.

The hour long documentary on BBC Two will feature Theroux visiting two psychiatric units and talking to women who are currently undergoing treatment, in a bid to raise awareness of the condition that isn’t commonly known about.

Known for his hard-hitting and thought provoking documentaries, the hour long programme will also highlight the importance of supporting new mums in the days, weeks and months following the birth of their child.

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Here’s all you need to know about Theroux’s latest documentary.

What is Louis Theroux – Mothers on the Edge about?

Theroux’s latest documentary will be see him visiting two specialist psychiatric units – Bethlem Royal Hospital in London and Melbury Lodge in Winchester – in order to understand postpartum mental illness – a condition that occurs in one in five new mums. Immersed in the wards that allows mums to keep their newborns with them during their treatment, Theroux will meet women who have been admitted with a range of serious conditions – including depression, anxiety and psychosis – which are often triggered by the birth or the strains of motherhood.

What to expect from Mothers on the Edge

The hour long documentary will feature Theroux speaking to the women who have been diagnosed and have experienced depression, anxiety and psychosis as a result of motherhood. Whilst focusing on the patients and their families both in hospital and recovering at home, Theroux will discover what lies behind their recent crisis and immense challenge in caring for two people in the most vulnerable state of their lives.

Viewers will be introduced to Barbara, a patient who has been experiencing hallucinations after the birth of her child, Catherine, a first time mum and Lisa, who experienced a psychotic episode following the birth of her third child.

Praising the women who bravely opened up about their struggles for the documentary, Theroux said in a statement: “Postpartum mental illness, like many aspects of mental health, is all too common and not acknowledged enough.

“We as a society do so much to celebrate new motherhood and to romanticise the relationship between new mothers and their babies, for understandable reasons. But the sad fact is, for many mums, their experience of having a baby is traumatic and they don’t experience Hallmark Card feelings of love,” he continued to comment.

“The women we featured in this film took a huge leap of faith in opening up and speaking to me. They bared a great deal of their souls and risked the judgement of less understanding elements of society. Their bravery and candour is awe inspiring, and it was a privilege to be invited into their families during a most vulnerable period in their lives.”

Hoping that the documentary will raise awareness, Theroux concluded: “I hope this film will go some way to helping normalise postpartum mental illness and stimulate a discussion on how we can best care for mothers at the time they need it the most.”

When is it on BBC Two?

Theroux’s documentary will air on BBC Two on Sunday 12 May at 9pm.