Witches: Exploring Motherhood & Maternal Mental Health

Join us for a special showing of The Witches, a powerful and imaginative film written and directed by Elizabeth Sankey.

The film released in 2024 is a British essayistic documentary, takes us through a haunting yet deeply personal narrative weaving together the mythology of witches with the lived reality of postpartum mental illness, exploring how stories of fear, power, and transformation continue to shape women’s lives today. Cleverly edited with a rich tapestry of clips from witch-themed films across cinema history, the film reflects on how accusations of witchcraft have historically overlapped with societal perceptions of women's mental health—especially mothers.

We are a university committed to raising awareness of metal health and wellbeing, breaking stigmas, and providing resources to support our colleagues and students if they are experiencing periods of challenging mental ill-health. We do not shy away from the hard topics and over the last 4 years we have hosted events focused on suicide prevention, men’s mental health and the mental health issues affecting our young people today. This year we are proud to present this bold, compassionate, and deeply reflective film that uses the metaphor of witchcraft to shine a light on women’s wellbeing.

The film and subsequent panel discussion will allow Elizabeth Sankey to share her personal experience with postpartum anxiety, depression, and psychosis as she reframes shame as solidarity and isolation as connection calling for cultural compassion toward maternal mental health. Joining Elizabeth on the panel will be:-

• Chair - Lesley Dodd, Edinburgh napier University
• Claire Mitchell / Zoe Vernidozz - Witches of Scotland
• Jenny Patterson, Edinburgh Napier University

Dr Jenny Patterson has been a midwife since 2007 and lecturer in midwifery at Edinburgh Napier since 2020 and has a particular interest in birth trauma and PTSD post childbirth. Jenny's interests focus on the nature of the mother/midwife relationship, their needs and their interactions.

• Nicola Ring, Edinburgh Napier University

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion then an opportunity to network after at a drinks reception with canapes.