About Us

In 2008 Carla O’Reilly, Elita Paterson and Tania Bird joined forces and sparked a healing wave of empathy when together they Co-Authored, The Smiling Mask-Truths about Postpartum Depression and Parenthood along with the Smiling Mask documentary. With a mission to provide awareness, acceptance and understanding of postpartum difficulties, they have become awareness advocates and have destroyed the mask of PPD encouraging families across the nation to come forward and use their voices to destroy this silent and secretive illness!

Together the Smiling Mask team has spoken over 200 times, including print, media and radio across Canada including keynoting in 10 medical conferences. The team’s tireless work in the area of mental health advocacy has been recognized by receiving the 2010 YWCA Women of Distinction Award and the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs Legacy Award for outstanding work in the area of mental illness.

In 2011, the team came together again to share their healing journeys   with the release of their second book, Behind the Mask-Trust, Adjust and Transform your life! In 2013 the team launched Smiling Mask pin to raise awareness and help mothers across the nation celebrate healing! In 2014 the team celebrated the declaration of May 7th as Maternal Mental Health Day in Saskatchewan!

To raise funds in support of PPD, Fifth Avenue Collection has partnered with us to create “The Smiling Mask” pin/pendant. $5 of each purchase will be donated to The Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs. Contact carlajoreilly@gmail.com to make a purchase for $69.95!