Early Mothers Day Gift

This Mother’s Day, An Extra Gift For New Mothers
New Federal Law to Combat Postpartum Depression

To interview experts on mental health policy and practice, contact Meena Dayak at 202.684.7457 or MeenaD@thenationalcouncil.org

(Washington, DC, May 7, 2010)—The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare commends U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) for championing the fight against postpartum depression by authoring the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, signed into law as part of health insurance reform. After a five year fight to educate lawmakers and get it passed, this new law will begin in earnest the federal effort to combat postpartum depression.

The MOTHERS Act will establish a comprehensive federal commitment to combating postpartum depression through new research, education initiatives and support programs.

Under the new law, local community organizations, hospitals or even state or local governments can apply for grants to provide education and services for the diagnosis and management of postpartum depression. The grants could also be used to provide education about postpartum conditions to promote earlier diagnosis and treatment. For instance, if the recipient is a medical facility, the grants could be used to educate new mothers and family members about postpartum depression before new mothers leave the health facility.

Health insurance reform law also requires that all new insurance plans cover comprehensive women’s preventive care and screenings.

A primer on the MOTHERS Act and answers to frequently asked questions about postpartum depression are available on Sen. Menendez’s website.

To locate a community mental health service provider in your area, visit www.TheNationalCouncil.org and use the “Find a Provider” feature on the right sidebar.

Happy Mother’s Day!
The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is a not-for-profit, association of 1,700 behavioral healthcare organizations that provide treatment and rehabilitation for mental illnesses and addictions disorders to nearly six million adults, children and families in communities across the country. The National Council and its members bear testimony to the fact that medical, social, psychological, and rehabilitation services offered in community settings help

MOTHERS Act Passed the Senate

Taken from: Perinatal Pro

The MOTHERS Act now passed in Senate version of Healthcare Reform thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez!
Hallelujah!!! Here is some great news to truly validate our combined efforts and the hopes of THOUSANDS who have never waivered in their support!!!

We are THAT MUCH CLOSER to our goal of better understanding and protecting America’s mothers from postpartum related mood disorders thanks to the incredible focus of U.S Senator Robert Menendez. That much closer to ensuring that the tragedies of untreated maternal mood disorders will cease to devastate American mothers, infants and families.

The MOTHERS Act has been successfully included and passed in the Senate version of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act !

The Senator’s office will now continue to work closely with House advocates to ensure it remains in the reconciled version of the bill which will then be presented to Congress for final passage.

If you are interested in reading the bill’s specific language, you can go to this link and click on “Full Text of Bill as Passed”. The language referencing The MOTHERS Act initiatives can be found on pages 595-604, section 2952 “Support Education and Research for Postpartum Depression”.

As The MOTHERS Act has always enjoyed great and nearly unanimous support in the U.S. House of Representatives, there is every reason to assume a successful outcome as the bills merge for final consideration and passage. Now is a great time to add your name to the petition to amplify the deafening drumbeat of support as our position strengthens!

Individual listings of constituents from every state who support this bill offer additional personal testimony to the science that substantiates the devastation of untreated maternal depression. Show your state representatives that you are among those who understand the bill’s critical importance to American families!

The days of decreasing the stigma of maternal mental illness long borne by silent suffering mothers and increasing the life saving awareness and services so desperately needed seem imminent.

Happy New Year!!!!

Stigma

Stealthily stolen from Postpartum Progress, this article fabulously explains the whole stigma of anti-depressants and mental illness. If I were to have Diabetes, I'd get sympathy most places I went, but because I have depression, I am controversial! Check it out and tell me what you think.

Good Day

Today reminded me why I went into psychology. I had a new client who has postpartum depression. As she told me her story, I felt like it was a replay of my own bout - no appetite, no sleep, can't do day-to-day-things, and the worst: feeling nothing for the baby. I'm sure she thought I could read her mind as I was going down the list of things she was feeling or not feeling without her telling me. So classically sad...

I'm proud to say she left my office with a plan and a smile on her face. Now that's why I do what I do.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2009

CONTACTS:
Menendez Press Office 202-224-4744
MENENDEZ, AUTHOR OF LEGISLATION TO COMBAT POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, APPLAUDS GRASSROOTS SHOW OF FORCE ON BLOG DAY

Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act has broad support in Congress, needs public pressure to overcome procedural obstacles
WASHINGTON – As bloggers around the country today advocate for passage of federal legislation to combat postpartum depression, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the Senate sponsor of the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, applauded the effort as necessary to enact the bill into law. The legislation has broad support in Congress and was able to pass the House of Representatives earlier this year, but has been stalled in the Senate because of objections by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK). Senator Coburn commonly uses senatorial “holds” to stall disease-specific legislation, and indications are that he would do so with the MOTHERS Act.

“Postpartum depression is a condition that is not only more widespread than most realize but also more debilitating than most realize,” said Menendez. “We need to make sure these mothers are fully supported and informed, rather than scared and alone. Working together with a nationwide community of mothers, we are so close to enacting this important legislation into law. What we need is an intense dose of public pressure. This Blog Day helps reinforce the type of grassroots movement that will create the pressure that is needed, and I commend the participants. I invite mothers, fathers and anyone else who believes we need to better support those with postpartum depression to contact their Senators and urge them to vocally support S.324”

The legislation would increase federal efforts to combat postpartum depression by:

• Encouraging Health and Human Services (HHS) to coordinate and continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find treatments for, postpartum conditions. 
  
• Encouraging a National Public Awareness Campaign, to be administered by HHS, to increase awareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and psychosis.
• Requiring the Secretary of HHS to conduct a study on the benefits of screening for postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. 
• Creating a grant program to public or nonprofit private entities to deliver or enhance outpatient, inpatient and home-based health and support services, including case management and comprehensive treatment services for individuals with or at risk for postpartum conditions. Activities may also include providing education about postpartum conditions to new mothers and their families, including symptoms, methods of coping with the illness, and treatment resources, in order to promote earlier diagnosis and treatment.

It is estimated that postpartum depression (PPD) affects from 10 to 20 percent of new mothers. In the United States, there may be as many as 800,000 new cases of postpartum conditions each year. The cause of PPD isn’t known but changes in hormone levels, a difficult pregnancy or birth, and a family history of depression are considered possible factors.

Blogging for the MOTHERS Act!

On Monday, April 20th, bloggers and websites across the country will be advocating for the passage of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act by writing, blogging and sending alerts asking their visitors to:

Call your Senator to express your support for S324

Add your Name to the state by state constituent petition, a list that will be presented to U.S. Senators the week of Mothers Day!

The list of national endorsers - which has grown to become one of the most extensive American bipartisan endorsements ever assembled – also includes major family foundations formed by those who have lost loved ones to the ravages of untreated or improperly treated birth or postpartum mood disorders. Devastated families who turned their agony into advocacy… by raising awareness and helping to prevent these tragedies from happening to others. They know that passage of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act is the next step needed to meet this goal!

Here are just a few:

The Melanie Blocker Stokes Foundation – was established by Chicago resident Carol Blocker, mother of Melanie Blocker Stokes. As she raises her deceased daughter’s precious child, Sommer Skye, Carol has been among the most ardent supporters of the legislation named for the beautiful, talented Melanie. Carol has campaigned tirelessly for over a decade to pass the bill she knows may spare other families the experience of a similar tragedy. She is greatly distressed by the opposition’s outrageous, insensitive misuse of Melanie’s name to discourage support for the bill she has fought for since her daughter’s tragic death. Visit the foundation’s website to learn about Melanie’s life and her continuing advocacy efforts in support of this bill.

The Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Foundation – Based in Chicago and created by Jennifer’s mother, Joan Mudd says “In 2001 my dear daughter, Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling lost her battle with postpartum depression. My husband and I knew that we had to do something to make it less likely that others would suffer Jennifer’s fate. Working with Evanston Northwestern Hospital, we established the Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Postpartum Depression Program at the hospital, offering prenatal and postnatal screenings, education programs for health care professionals and a 24-hour crisis line for new mothers” Joan’s foundation also sponsors an annual conference each year in Chicago, bringing our nation’s top researchers, advocates and survivors together to discuss latest advances and collaborative advocacy. Joan and her family are ardent supporters of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. 

Jenny’s Light - On December 19, 2007, Jennifer and Graham Gibbs Bankston tragically passed away. Jenny suffered silently with postpartum depression but her symptoms could have been detected and treated. This Minnesotta based foundation was created by her family to be a source of information, hope and inspiration. “We strive to stop this type of tragedy from happening to others. The mission of Jenny’s Light is to improve and save lives by increasing awareness of all perinatal mood disorders including postpartum depression."

The Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation, a California based foundation, was founded by Maddy Oden after the preventable loss of her daughter and grandchild’s life. The Foundation is devoted to empowering women, specifically in the area of childbirth and pregnancy. “We are dedicated to saving the lives of those giving life to others” says Maddy. The foundation has added its name to the list of those supporting The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. 

Please join us on Monday, April 20th, by calling your U.S. Senator and requesting his support of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. And add your name to the constituent petition which will be presented to every U.S. Senator the week of Mother's Day.

Conference Debriefing

My brain is mush from that conference. But it was wonderful and totally worth going. It was so empowering to hear 200 women come together and talk about how ridiculous society's, and even our own, expectations of mothers are just undo-able. 

How did we get stuck with being in charge of child care, house, social calendar, medical and sometimes working 40 hours + per week on top of that? It's really no wonder so many new moms get postpartum mood disorders. We just can't meet those unrealistic expectations.

I really enjoyed listening to Representative Jessica Ferrar (D). She made a point that really stuck with me: By not getting involved in a political passion, you are deferring your power to someone else. By God, I may just register to vote for the first time in my life.

I also sold about 15 books and won one of the silent auction items (a big basket full of girly bath and body stuff). I stayed in the ritzy hotel Friday night with a friend, which was a lot of fun. I may be biased since I was on the conference committee, but I think this conference was one of the best, if not the best, one PSI has ever had!

Yada Yada

Today was Day 1 of the PSI Conference. I am ashamed to admit I spent most of the day texting people and taking my acrylic fingernails off under the table. I seem to have the attention span of a gnat.

Fortunately, my energy has returned, so getting up early and driving downtown in rush hour isn't as unpleasant as it would be if I was still dragging.

I am putting my book out on the bookstore table tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. 20% goes to PSI, which I don't mind at all.

Punkin is officially out of school for the summer. I am so proud of her - she made all A's all year! That's the first time she's done that since she started public school 3 years ago. 

I am so looking forward to our vacation to San Diego at the end of the month. Being in the ritzy hotel today got me really revved up for a change of scenery.

What I Am Doing

My biorhythms must be in a valley right now - I am just sluggish as of late. No, I am not pregnant. Sheesh. Quit teasing me...that's not funny!

Today marks Day 1 of the PSI Conference. My duties include picking up one of the speakers from the airport and transporting her to the hotel downtown. Should I dress up? I mean, I am not going to wear my AC/DC shirt or anything, but do I need impeccable grooming? Do I get to stand in baggage claim with a little sign? There's a first time for everything.

Punkin's last day of school is tomorrow. This conference doesn't come at the best time. I was telling the husband what time to pick her up tomorrow and she said, "I will be mad if you forget me!" Ya think?

OK, I better quit watching Pet Star and get a life.

Knowledge is Power

With so many celebrities getting pregnant these days, it's no wonder that a few are coming forward saying that they experienced postpartum depression. The latest in the bunch is Gwyneth Paltrow.

While I am sorry that she had to go through this, I am very glad that she came forward to talk about her struggles so openly. Maybe the tides are really turning with people becoming more educated about this devastating problem.

The Postpartum Support International annual conference is being held here in Houston next week. If you're at all interested in learning about the syndrome and making a difference, please sign up to come. You don't need to be a professional to do so.

Please Help!

If you have a heart for the prevention and treatment of postpartum mood disorders, please follow this link and make a difference! It only takes a couple of minutes.

Thank you so much in advance!

Postpartum Depression "Wake-Up Call"

Support MOTHERS!

Did you know that up to 800,000 women in the U.S. will develop a diagnosable perinatal mood disorder this year? We're talking postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD and psychosis. (This does not include women whose babies are stillborn, who miscarry or suffer pregnancy termination). Yet only 15% of these women will receive any treatment. We need to do a better job screening, educating and treating our nation's mothers! The MOTHERS Act addresses these concerns and offers the common sense and needed remedies of screening, education, provision of services and research.

Today's the day to call your Senator and ask him or her to support the MOTHERS Act if they are not already doing so. If you're not sure what to say, here's a sample script:

"Hello this is (your name) one of Senator (Senator's name) constituents from (your town). I am calling to ask the Senator to co-sponsor The MOTHERS Act bill number S. 1375, sponsored by Senator Menendez, which will provide funding for research, education, screening and treatment of postpartum depression."

For those that don't already know, I went through postpartum depression and panic disorder after the birth of my daughter 8 years ago. I only wish something like the MOTHERS Act was around back then! Maybe out of my OB/GYN, my daughter's pediatrician, my primary care doctor, my family and friends, one person could have helped me understand what I was going through. Let's make it better for our new moms from here on out!

Dear to My Heart

Potential good news for new moms: the MOTHERS Act will finally make it mandatory for new moms to be screened for postpartum mood disorders and given access to treatment! If you care about this issue, learn more by clicking on the button above!