Local nurse practitioner hosts a screening event to help shred the silence on the menopause movement

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A local nurse practitioner is hosting a screening and panel event to help shatter the stigma and spark a conversation about the menopause public health crisis.

"I saw this need in our community. I had so many patients coming to me with their concerns, and they really felt like their needs weren’t being met," said nurse practitioner Kellie Brooksher.

Brooksher has been working in healthcare for over 30 years. She created this "M Factor" event to help empower women. She was approved to present a screening of the PBS documentary "The M Factor."

"This is a film that PBS has done, and we were honored with the ability to provide it to our community, and the title of it is actually 'Shredding the Silence of Menopause,'" said Brooksher.

The documentary follows women around some of their doctors appointments to show first hand experience of challenges they face with healthcare and progress made in the menopause movement.

"They actually show first hand how some of these women are not only berated, but their symptoms are pushed off there, that 'they're normal, you'll get through it, don't worry about it,'" said Brooksher.

After the screening, there will be a Q & A panel with nurse practitioners, patients, physicians, and more.
Panelist Marlena Lopez says she hopes people walk away empowered and with a better understanding of their bodies and health.

"This is about getting accurate information to women, so that they're empowered with information to make decisions when it comes to their own healthcare," said family nurse practitioner BC Marlena Lopez.

The event is on Thursday March 20th from 5:30p to 7:30 p.m. at Yuma Main Library. You can find the link to sign up for this free event here.