I’m happy to welcome Walker Karraa to Postpartum Progress today. She wrote the following post to call out CNN, and I’m glad she did.
“Crimes of the Century,” directed by Hollywood film director Ridley Scott, is described by CNN in this way:
CNN’s new documentary series turns infamous crimes of the last hundred years inside out, shedding new light on the events, the perpetrators, and their impact on our society.
Among the crimes of the century “documented” by CNN, is a tragedy that has been found as non– criminal on appeal. Andrea Yates is not a criminal. She was not a criminal. Andrea Yates was mentally ill. And as CNN, in all of its corporate caretaking of entertainment-news, parades Andrea across its feed as an infamous perpetrator of crime, I refuse to participate.
America, we have always loved a good witch hunt. Coming from a long line of Quakers and women with mental illness, I know of what I speak. I can still smell the smoke of my ancestors burning—those women who didn’t pass the test of purity, who suffered bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, psychosis, or intuition beyond the bandwidth of the men in charge. My women, and many of yours, were burned at the stake for floating.
So I will not join in throwing Andrea into the water to see if she floats. I will not allow another woman to be burned at the stake by a culture of corrupted journalism, and corporate media. I will not purchase the products of the advertisers paying to play their commercials during the dissemination of demonizing misinformation that does nothing but perpetuate myth and stigmatize mental illness as criminal.
Ironically, in 1979 Ridley Scott directed the science fiction horror film “Alien” featuring the ultimate grrrl power character: Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver. Ripley’s character was arguably a defining moment in the development of feminist icons in film. I dare say James Cameron truly took Ripley to the warrior mom status in the sequel, “Aliens.” So as CNN profits from criminalizing the life-long psychiatric illness of a woman, I am reminded of Sgt. Ripley’s epic face-off with the massive monster-mama Alien — “Get away from her, you bitch.”
Yes, I want to protect Andrea Yates. There, I said it. I want to protect her and all of the women who suffer, will suffer, and have suffered postpartum psychosis from the tyranny of television news. I want to protect the families irrevocably damaged by postpartum psychosis from the re-traumatization inflicted by a nation addicted to misrepresentation. I want a revolution of policy, practice and politics that perpetuate patriarchy’s incessant sucking on the tit of the Medea myth.
Talking about a revolution, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. put it this way:
A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies. We are called to play the Good Samaritan on life’s roadside; but that will be only an initial act. One day the whole Jericho Road must be transformed so that men and women will not be beaten and robbed as they make their journey through life. True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it understands that an edifice which produces beggars needs restricting. (King, 1968)
The Good Samaritan parable is fitting. Reaching down to help those injured by mental illness is needed. But it is only an initial step. We must review the conditions of the road; research the conditions of fear that make us do nothing, as the Priest and the Levite did. We must go back and fix the road, and repair what continues to create the causes for women like Andrea to end up life’s roadside.
The cracks in the road through which women fall everyday are clear: psychiatric symptoms, stigma, ineffective treatment, lack of psychosocial support. And, we could begin to rebuild with evidence-based models of care, prevention, and health that include reproductive life planning, preconception and interconception care such as those suggested by Michael C. Lu, M.D., M.S., M.P.H., associate administrator of maternal and child health of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). A 3.0 model of women’s health care where women are at the center, not providers driven by the practice protocol of insurers. We could put women at the center of their reproductive health, and pave the way for early detection, prevention and screening for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders like postpartum depression. We could mandate universal screening and provide training to mental health and medical care providers regarding perinatal psychiatric disorders.
But in the immediate, the courage of compassion prescribed by Dr. King that I believe is necessary requires the grit to face a fear-based profit driven edifice like CNN, which is producing suffering and slandering of mentally ill mothers, and restrict it. Because this isn’t only a matter of what’s at stake, it is who is at stake. Our daughters, granddaughters, and women yet to come need us to fix the dangerous road to Jericho now so that they don’t burn at the stake for floating in the future.
~ Walker Karraa
Walker Karraa, PhDc, is a doctoral candidate at Sofia University where she is finishing her dissertation study of the transformational dimensions of postpartum depression. Walker was the founding President of PATTCh, an organization founded by Penny Simkin dedicated to the prevention and treatment of traumatic childbirth. Walker is the perinatal mental health contributor for Lamaze International’s Science and Sensibility, Giving Birth With Confidence, and the American College of Nurse-Midwives’ (ACNM) Midwives Connection. She is co-authoring a book with Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D., IBCLC, FAPA on PTSD following childbirth. Walker is a 10-year breast cancer survivor, and lives in Sherman Oaks, CA with her two children and husband.
Well said, Walker!
Thank you, Jennifer
Walker- incredibly well said! The criminal part about this show is CNN’s attempt to show Andrea as a criminal. Anyone have an idea about how to make this clear to CNN? What they are doing is criminal (false accusation) and cruel; putting maternal mental illness, and mental illness in general, deeper in the closet.
Thank you, Pec!
Hey Walker – Wonderful article. Yes, I ,too, will stand by Andrea Yates. She was truly let down by the system, and her husband was needlessly reviled as well. The true details of her trial are very well put forth in the book Are You There Alone? http://www.amazon.com/Are-You-There-Alone-Unspeakable/dp/0743466292
It is a well researched, fact-based and startling account of Andrea Yates’ unmedicated psychosis. And the struggle of her husband who tried valiantly to care for her in the maze of misdiagnosis and insurance company denials of claims while he worked a full-time job. Having worked with the severely mentally ill and their families, I can say the system is truly full of holes. Bravo! Good article! Warmly, Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Thanks so much. Margaret Spinelli’s (2004) Maternal infanticide associated with mental illness: Prevention and the promise of saved lives, American Journal of Psychiatry, 161(9), 1548-1557 is a great source on the true facts, too. http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org
Yes, dreadful title. However—let me ask you to consider this. I was asked to contribute to this show, as were all of the members of her defense team. I was initially horrified until I spoke with the producer who said, “We were going to present this story from Andrea Yates the child murderer perspective. And then when we started researching it we had a whole different sense of what really happened and that this woman was sick. It is our intention to be respectful in the coverage of this.” So I said okay. As did other members of her team. I can’t guarantee that I won’t cringe when I watch this and wish I hadn’t joined in. But, if my and others participation in anyway helps educate the masses of people who still know nothing about postpartum mental illness, and they come away with more understanding and compassion for Andrea Yates and other mother’s who suffer from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, then this will be a good thing. Maybe it takes a really awful terrible disrespectful title to get people to watch–and there are many out there who still believe Andrea Yates is a criminal–and yes CNN is out to get ratings and not to educate, BUT–cross your fingers—maybe the good guys will come out on top here.
Lucy J. Puryear, M.D.
Defense Psychiatrist
Andrea Yates trial
Thank you, Lucy, for letting us know. It is good to know that the producers contacted those that understand postpartum mental illness. As you said, let us hope that the representation will educate and present Andrea’s situation properly.
Lucy, You know I’m a big fan of both you and George, so I hope that you’re right and you were able to change their angle and the way CNN portrays Andrea. If the segment is well-informed and straightforward, it can do a lot to help dispel some of the myths about postpartum psychosis and that would be fantastic. If it isn’t, we’ll certainly know it’s not yours or George’s fault.
~ Katherine
I understand this; I respect the professionals involved immensely. But words and images speak volumes. The website alone is deplorable. I wonder if CNN asked Andrea for permission to use her?
My point isn’t about the professionals involved in helping her. It is that I, personally, find it symptomatic of corporate greed infringing on the mental illness of women. It for me, it is not ok. And I would bet money that there are more mentally ill individuals in the cast of Crimes of the Century than criminals.
Crimes of the Century is not a Public Service Announcement on postpartum psychosis.
Yes, Lucy…thank you. I think you have more faith in the power of media to increase awareness than I have. I will not watch; but will pray that having the details of her illness displayed on CNN will “increase awareness”. Fingers crossed, but not holding breath. I know I’d float.
Thanks all. I always hesitate participating in these things. But if I don’t I always worry the right information won’t get out there. So I grit my teeth and speak. I am also on “E Entertainment Hoolywood” about 3 times a month at 2 in the morning. Gross. But they actually did a really good job. Nervously holding my breath. Lucy.
Thanks, as always, Lucy for responding AND participating in this commentary and the CNN special. As George always reminds me when I may question his decision to participate in a particular media event, his response is this: “They are going to do the show with or without me. I seize this as an opportunity to educate the public on these issues.” Of course, we have no control over the editing rights, but as you said “we nervously hold our breath!” Let’s hope for the best – Mary P.
Thank you, Mary for your sharing. Having just seen George speak at PSI Minnesota, I have no doubt he will do his very best on behalf of everyone, to represent the facts. He is a hero. I send you both my wishes, and will be thinking of all of you Sunday. Let me know what you think!
Thank you for speaking out!
Here is the promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym5k5mliRqc
What do you think?
When initially contacted for whatever insight I could provide, I also was taken aback by what appeared to be a demonizing of my client. After lengthy conversations with the producers I was assured that the mental health approach and illness of Andrea had impacted the whole process of how this would be aired. In short, a sympathetic understanding of postpartum psychosis as a reason for June 20, 2001 and the deaths of her children, would be the emphasis. Let’s face it. We are the true believers and because of that those that do not understand must be approached and educated. I can only hope that the assurances made will be kept and at the end of the program we will all be enlightened.
George J. Parnham
Defense Attorney for Andrea Yates
Thank you for your response, George. And the years of dedication to this topic. And your OP/ED in the Houston Chronicle was brilliant. http://www.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Parnham-Postpartum-depression-deserves-greater-4671107.php
Lots of good thoughts for everyone this Sunday.
We love you George. As always. ~ K
Indeed. I always wondered why the press around the Yates case did not explore her husband’s culpability as the decision-maker in a “husband rules, wife submits” religion. Given her history, she should not have continued having children and she should not have been left alone with the children. She had attempted suicide and was known to be actively psychotic.
Thank you, Walker, for this piece and for your continued work toward bringing this important topic into the light. I only wish this CNN show could come with a big banner reading TRIGGER WARNING!
We have come far since this tragedy, we still have far to go.
CNN Promo Spot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym5k5mliRqc
Thank you to Lucy J. Puryear, M.D. and George Parnham for your work on the episode (and Dr. Resnick). Your commitment, compassion and conviction was clear to see. What a journey you have all been on together–a long journey on the road to Jericho. Thank you for stopping to care for Andrea, and in doing so changing the perception of postpartum psychosis. My heart went out to all of you.
I’m not a mother yet and may not ever be, it isn’t easy. I’m 26 and when I saw this on CNN right before they showed the royal couple or after–i forget, I felt the same way. Criminal, really? Wow. I very much so agree and wish you the best with your book and future studies.
-Chris, 26 Los Angeles CA
Well, while I agree that Andrea Yates was mentally ill when she killed her children, it is still a crime to take someones life in this country. That is why she is incacerated in a mental hospital for treatment, and not just set free. Unfortunately her crime is one of the crimes of the century. So sad.