The expert resource for women, families and healthcare providers offering the information you need to combat the effects of pregnancy related mood disorders
Brooke Shields Supports the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act
May 10, 2010
SEN. MENENDEZ, BROOKE SHIELDS MARY JO CODEY: ADVOCATES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION CELEBRATE MAJOR VICTORY
Support services for Postpartum Depression are law
MOTHERS Act is part of Health Insurance Reform –the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Ridgewood, New Jersey - U. S. Senator Robert Menendez and renowned advocates, actress Brooke Shields and former New Jersey First Lady Mary Jo Codey will stand with dozens of mothers and postpartum depression advocates to celebrate a major victory for women and their families that have been affected by postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a devastating mood disorder which strikes many women during and after pregnancy that affects anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of new mothers.
WHAT: A Mother’s Day Celebration for the MOTHERS Act, postpartum legislation included in the Health Insurance Reform law
WHO: U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) Brooke Shields Former New Jersey First Lady Mary Jo Codey Chairperson President’s Advisory Council, Postpartum Support Int’l Susan Stone Author of "A Daughter’s Touch” Sylvia Lasalandra
WHEN: Monday May 10, 2010 11:00 AM
WHERE: Ridgewood Women’s Club 215 West Ridgewood Avenue Ridgewood, New Jersey, 07450
Former N.J. First Lady Mary Jo Codey, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Brooke Shields, Sylvia Lasalandra, Susan Dowd Stone
About three years ago, on May 11th, 2007, at the invitation of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, actress and author Brooke Shields came to Washington DC to share her postpartum experience and urge Congress to pass The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. Her compelling testimony further awakened our nation to the reality of pregnancy related mood disorders and the need for action NOW.
She was joined that day by U. S. Senator Robert Menendez, Congressman Bobby L. Rush, Former NJ First Lady Mary Jo Codey, Carol Blocker - Melanie Blocker Stokes mother - Sylvia Lasalandra and myself in a press conference encouraging every stakeholder - every mother, father, sister, friend, family member, loved one, Congressman, Representative, Senator and health care professional to support this life saving legislation.
After reaching out to Brooke's camp to inform her of the bill's progress, Ms. Shields still feels strongly and supports the passage of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. Here is a quote from Ms. Shields:
"I wish I had known, (been) informed in some way, but nobody said anything to me about postpartum depression. The knowledge of PPD is a tool that I believe all women deserve, and this bill represents that tool and it's an easy gift to give women everywhere. I urge Congress to pay attention and finally listen and not let postpartum depression go undiagnosed and untreated. There's research that needs to be done. Postpartum depression is a disease that, like any other disease, we would want to inform people of and offer treatment and research for. Now is the time to pass this bill."- Brooke Shields On March 30, 2009, thanks to the ceaseless efforts of Congressman Bobbly L. Rush, the MBSMA passed by nearly unanimous bipartisan support out of the House of Representatives and now awaits consideration in the U.S. Senate H.E.L.P. committee, chaired by Senator Edward M. Kennedy. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, the bill's senate sponsor, has pledged to persevere until the bill is passed.
Now that the bill has become law, Ms. Shields continues to support this legislation and hopes you will add your voice to hers to continue to demonstrate your support of this initiative bill until it is funded! Please join our state by state listing of supporters of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act by sending an email with your NAME, STATE, ANY CREDENTIALS or AFFILATIONS.
You can learn about the legislation's history and watch Brook'e entire speech by clicking here.
