The expert resource for women, families and healthcare providers offering the information you need to combat the effects of pregnancy related mood disorders
February 13, 2009
ABC’s Private (Mal) Practice fails to present the facts
in botched opportunity to raise PPD Awareness
Caving to the sensationalism that fuels stigma (and perhaps ratings) rather than supports understanding, last night's ABC’s Private Practice episode presented an outrageous and unsympathetic caricature of a woman suffering from postpartum depression… or was it postpartum psychosis? The show’s producers apparently passed on any professional consultation, so the new mother presented an unlikely combination of severe symptoms which were poorly interpreted and never professionally assessed. The result? A botched opportunity to raise awareness while fanning the flames of fear that keep women and families suffering in silence.
The image of the suffering mother - with acupuncture needles sticking out of her head (!) - experiencing a psychotic episode was more akin to Friday the 13th than the public awareness campaign promised by ABC. Postpartum psychosis is extremely rare with incidence less then .2% and was not accurately presented in this three ring circus. The implication that postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis are interchangeable labels is incredibly irresponsible.
But the show’s mothers weren’t the only target of ignorance and blatant indifference to client care.The show managed to insult the integrity of every health care professional associated with the mother’s illness. The therapist came off as a clueless, self absorbed nut case who failed to advocate for her client, the acupuncturist acknowledged that his client was having a psychotic episode (yet left her alone in a room), and the two docs charged with the care of the other pregnant mother were engaged in their own emotional and professional battle failing to prioritize the welfare of their anxious client.
The Public Service Announcement that was supposed to air immediately following the show- to inform women and families where they might find the CORRECT information and help for such disorders - went missing. Therefore the thousands of new or pregnant mothers who might have watched the show (let’s pray they went to bed early instead) were not given any resources unless they went to the website itself. And there, further insult awaited.
The Private Practice Homepage is now offering a poll. You can answer YES or NO only to the question:
"Should a woman undergoing psychiatric treatment who nearly drowned her baby be allowed to see it?"
It can be imagined that this additional witchhunt will generate a tsunami of negative responses furthering the misunderstanding of perinatal mood disorders and associated stigma.
The show had approached Postpartum Support International for consultation on the Public Service Announcement – perhaps attempting to legitimize their story line by association with the world’s number one resource for PPD - but PSI was not shown the episode prior to airing. Hopefully, those set on their teeth by this horror show may have googled postpartum depression and found PSI’s website where they can find the information and help they need to navigate pregnancy related mood disorders.
Or let’s hope they found Katherine Stone’s Postpartum Progress Blog – an award winning website authored by an amazing woman who devotes herself to presenting the FACTS about these illnesses and encouraging women to seek treatment and each other. On Katherine’s website you can find listings of the U.S.’s most stellar PPD facilities and providers where best practices and renown professionals successfully treat the mothers who come to them with appropriate care and respect.
Or perhaps googling PPD brought them to a beautifully authored and compelling PSA on Postpartum Depression presented by CBS CARES. This Public Service Announcement was developed in conjunction with a sensitive PPD storyline on their award winning series Cold Case last year. It has been seen by thousands, probably millions of people across the country who were positively moved by its prosocial message of outreach and hope.
Finally dear women - whether you are pregnant, new moms, or contemplating pregnancy - if you watched that show and wondered... "Could this be me?"The answer is NO!! Those on the forefront of PPD research, education and treatment are among the most devoted and passionate practitioners you can find (see list above). If you aren’t feeling like yourself and new motherhood isn’t what you expected or you want to know the FACTS about PPD - get those questions answered now by experienced specialists who will guide you to the right help.
Perhaps we can take the perspective that any media spotlight focused on these disorders might heighten awareness and get people talking. But what a missed opportunity for a major network to offer quality primetime educational outreach to help prevent or end the suffering of the 800,000 women who will experience a perinatal mood disorder this year.
To calm down listen to this beautiful song, composed by Wade Bowen, about his wife's experience with postpartum depression. Here's the link to it on U-Tube
ABC series Private Practice supports Postpartum Depression Awareness
with primetime storyline and Public Service Announcement
On February 12th, ABC's hit series "Private Practice" will air an episode with a storyline on postpartum depression. ABC consulted with Postpartum Support International to create a public service announcement about postpartum depression which will be available on their website immediately following the show. Katherine Stone, author of Postpartum Progress - the nation's most widely read blog on postpartum depression - and public relations chair for PSI, consulted with ABC on the development of the PSA. Post show, viewers will be directed to the public service announcement on ABC'sPrivate Practice website where contact information for Postpartum Support International can be found.
While the episode has not been seen prior to airing, we are hopeful that the material will closely correspond to the clinical presentations women experience when going through postpartum depression. Most importantly, we hope the storyline and PSA will convey the fact that such illnesses are common, treatable and no reflection on the mother! Storylines which responsibly present the ravages of these illnesses without the alienating sensationalism - which fuels stigma rather than hope - can greatly influence a nation's response to those suffering from these illnesses. Be sure you watch the episode - we will offer a forum for your feedback and comments the day after the show airs.
Many thanks to ABC for their willingness to not only approach this critical subject matter, but to offer viewers contact information to Postpartum Support International, the world's largest nonprofit devoted to the eradication of perinatal mood disorders. This ensures that those moved by the shows content will not be left wondering where they can go to find help for themselves or a loved one.
CBS Cares, a division of CBS Television network, in previous years created a public service announcement campaign on postpartum depression, also in conjunction with PSI, which was released during an episode of their award winning series Cold Case. The episode depicted signs and symptoms of postpartum psychosis, was sensitively presented and seen by millions of viewers who were greatly moved.
The accompanying public service announcement was created in both English and Spanish and aired many times throughout the year in primetime slots. In addition, through a partnership with American Airlines, the PSA was seen on over 30,000 American airlines flights. The Spanish version was made available to any network, unbannered, that wished to join the campaign.
To view the CBS CARES Public Service Announcements on postpartum depression with Danny Pino (Spanish) and Katherine Morris (English), click here
Though not political in purpose, these philanthropic endeavors help create and sustain national awareness of a public health crisis which has gone too long unaddressed. This year, as we seek to finally pass The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act,we are grateful for the educational outreach offered by such leading networks in our fight to eradicate the needless suffering of the over 800,000 women who will experience a perinatal mood disorder this year.
Newly added!Watch the entire Capitol Hill Press Conference Video on the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act with U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Congressman Bobby L. Rush, Former NJ First Lady Mary Jo Codey, Author Sylvia Lasalandra, advocate Carol Blocker (mother of Melanie Blocker Stokes), Actress Brooke Shields and Susan Dowd Stone.
Newly added!Watch the entire Capitol Hill Press Conference Video on the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act with U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Congressman Bobby L. Rush, Former NJ First Lady Mary Jo Codey, Author Sylvia Lasalandra, advocate Carol Blocker (mother of Melanie Blocker Stokes), Actress Brooke Shields and Susan Dowd Stone.
The self defeating danger of comparisons Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW
One of the most commonly asked questions I hear from women who come to my practice suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders - and even from professional learning about PPD treatment is: “How long will it take be well again?” This question is inevitably prompted by either the story of someone who fully recovered in two weeks (making it unlikely it was a PMAD) or because someone said to them "you mean you are STILL not feeling well?" You can imagine how such implications would lead to further despair and a feeling that their own situation might be hopeless.
There is great danger in attempting to compare your recovery time, symptoms,or treatment, to that of other women you may know who are going through the crushing experience ofPMAD’s or who have had it in the past.
As with any other medical illness, NO TWO EXPERIENCES ARE THE SAME. Each woman’s illness brings its own unique biological, psychological and social factors – the intensity, disability and presentation varies as widely as a cold does to pneumonia.
Sometimes, there’s unity and connection when women talk about what they are feeling. Knowing you are not the only mother who thought about giving her baby up for adoption, who wished the baby had never been born, or who feel resentment instead of joy at the constant cries for attention can be hugely relieving. It can be comforting to know that sleeplessness is its own hell, that partners don’t do the right thing, that no one rises to motherhood without questions and imperfections and that wishing to have your former life back again is perfectly normal when you are feeling so badly.
The horrific guilt that plagues such mothers can be reduced by compassionate and even humorous exchanges with other moms. The PSI weekly Chats are testimony to the relieving effects of ending isolation and lonely despair when you think there is no one in the world who could possibly understand – or have compassion – for what you are feeling or thinking.
But when recovery time line or treatment comparisons are made, it can lead to women feeling worse if they do NOT bounce back in the two weeks or two months offered as a recovery standard by well meaning friends. Some women will feel better with sleep and a few good talks with a friend, therapist, pediatrician or neighbor. That is great, but that is NOT postpartum depression.The feelings of associated despair if your symptoms outlast these timelines can add further hopelessness as the conclusion becomes… “I must be really crazy if I am not yet well”.
This also applies to the form of treatment - therapy, meds, no meds - which MUST be individually constructed for each woman and fully responsive to all her presenting signs and symptoms. Since recovery can’t begin until treatment starts, the length of time someone with true PMAD has suffered or will suffer depends on accessing that help… how soon they get to the right professional and the right treatment for their own unique symptom presentation.
While all PMAD's are MEDICAL ILLNESSES… (sometimes a biological predisposition increases vulnerability), there are other contributing circumstances known as risk factors. The National Institute of Mental Health is devoting much energy into research to better understand how biological predispositions become activated by chemical, psychological or social stressors. Having a biological predisposition doesn’t mean you will definitely develop a mood disorder…. But as risk factors increase, so does vulnerability to a mood disorder. This wasn’t caused by anything you did and you can’t compare your circumstances or unique biological make up to anyone else on the planet.
For example, when isolation and lack of social support is prominent in a clinical presentation, we can work hard on developing a woman's helping network and often see great progress. When certain ways of thinking keep women locked in an endless loop of intrusive thoughts or obsessions we have Cognitive Behavior Therapy strategies to help manage unwanted ideas. And when other behaviors such as addictions or eating disorders complicate the recovery from PMAD’s we have therapies like Dialectical Behavior Therapy that help clinicians target all of the symptoms that are impeding a woman’s progress. Finally, medication may be critical in any of the preceding scenarios because when we feel better, we can make new cognitive or behavioral choices that will support the recovery from depression. Or, medication may not be needed at all. There is no one formula that works, no one size fits all.
The best course of action is always to seek treatment from an experienced PMAD practitioner who is also credentialed in the form of therapy indicated by your set of symptoms. This person can assess/identify each component of the disorder, prioritize goals and treatment plans with you and work toward recovery. The ONLY meaningful comparison for a woman in treatment for a PMAD is to notice if she feels better than a month ago, a week ago, an hour ago…and to give herself the patient love and space to fully recovery without adding the pressure of someone else’s recovery timeline.
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez reintroduces important postpartum depression legislation in Senate today!!
Today, I had the joy of participating in a conference call with the office of Senator Menendez and the other organizational sponsors of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act where we received the heads up that U.S. Senator Robert Menendez was hoping to reintroduce the bill today. And as of this afternoon, that is exactly what he has done!! For hundreds of thousands of American mothers and families, this renews the hope that 2009 will indeed be the year when Congress acknowledges our nation's mothers by addressing the full spectrum of maternal experience and finally passing this legislation .
The statistics we have on the numbers of women suffering from perinatal mood disorders (which range from 12 - 22% in the research) easily exceed the incidence associated with a public health crisis. And remember, these statistics, do NOT include the suffering of women who miscarry, endure stillbirths, give up babies for adoption or terminate pregnancies, all of whom are also susceptible to these devastating disorders and whose circumstances are included in the furthering of research and support being sought.
It is not too soon to begin contacting the senators in your state to let them know you support this long overdue legislation!! And while you are at it, feel free to express your support to U.S. Senator Robert Menendez for whose steadfast determination we are so very grateful.Thank you to Senator Robert Menendez and the bill's other leading cosponsors, Senators Richard Durbin, (D-IL) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME).
If your organization would like to become a sponsor of this crucial bill, please contact Emma Palmer in Senator Menendez's office at 202-224-4744.
Please visit again soon for the link to an online petition which will be available across the country.
The latest copy of the The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, follows the official press release below!
COMBATING POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: SEN. MENENDEZ BEGINS PUSH IN 111TH CONGRESS
MOTHERS Act reintroduced in Senate, was close to passage last year WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today officially kicked off his efforts to secure an increased federal commitment to combating postpartum depression by reintroducing the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act in the Senate. The legislation, which is co-sponsored by Sens. Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), has support from Senate leadership. It was nearing passage last year, despite being blocked from a vote on the Senate floor by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), who has objected to this and other bills targeting specific diseases on ideological grounds.
“We gained significant support for this effort to combat postpartum depression over the last two years, which makes me optimistic that we will be able to deliver this gift to new mothers,” said Senator Menendez. “Increasingly, my colleagues in the Senate are learning about the vicious, debilitating nature of postpartum depression and how it affects families, and they understand why this initiative is so important. We have to attack postpartum depression on all fronts – with education, support, and research – so that new moms can feel supported and safe rather than scared and alone.” Postpartum depression is a serious and disabling condition affecting hundreds of thousands of new mothers each year. The new 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 agrant 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.
The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act (S./ H.R. 20)
The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, sponsored by Senator Menendez and Representative Rush, will help provide support services to women suffering from postpartum depression and psychosis and will also help educate mothers and their families about these conditions.In addition, it will support research into the causes, diagnoses and treatments for postpartum depression and psychosis.
Specifically this bill will: Increase Research on Postpartum Depression
·Encourages Health and Human Services (HHS) to coordinate and continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find treatments for, postpartum conditions.
·Encourages a National Public Awareness Campaign, to be administered by HHS, to increase awareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and psychosis.
·Requires the Secretary of HHS to conduct a study on the benefits of screening for postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
·Includes a Sense of Congress that the Director of the National Institutes of Health may conduct a nationally representative longitudinal study of the relative mental health consequences for women of resolving a pregnancy (intended or unintended) in various ways, including carrying the pregnancy to term and parenting the child, carrying the pregnancy to term and placing the child for adoption, miscarriage, and having an abortion.
Support Those Struggling with Postpartum Depression
·Creates agrant program to public or nonprofit private entities to deliver or enhance outpati ent, 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.
Funding
·Authorizes $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2010 and 2011.
Postpartum depression is a devastating mood disorder which strikes many women during and after pregnancy.It is a serious and disabling condition that affects anywhere 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.These mothers often experience signs of depression and may lose interest in friends and family, feel overwhelming sadness or even have thoughts of harming the baby or themselves.The cause of postpartum depression is not known, but changes in hormone levels, a difficult pregnancy or birth, a family history of depression and other biopsychosocial stressors are considered possible factors.
Supporters
American College of Nurse Midwives
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Psychological Association
American Psychiatric Association
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
Children’s Defense Fund
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
Family Mental Health Foundation
Guttmacher
Kristin Brooks Hope Center
March of Dimes
Melanie Blocker Stokes Foundation
Mental Health America
NARAL, Pro-Choice America
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
National Partnership for Women & Families National Women’s Law Center OWL- The Voice of Midlife and Older Women
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Postpartum Support International
Suicide Prevention Action Network USA
111th Congress brings new hope to American Mothers as The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act is reintroduced!
Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW
Attention advocates of America’s mothers and the thousands of courageous women who are experiencing or who have survived a pregnancy or postpartum depression – you have not been forgotten!! For among the significant challenges facing the 111th Congress, the issue of untreated maternal depression remains a top priority.
One new Congressional focus is the rebuilding of national infrastructure. One might make the analogy that this should include enhancing the healthy infrastructure of our families by ending the preventable plague of maternal mood disorders which continues to ravage over 800,000 women – and their infants and families – every year. The long term consequences of untreated maternal depression range from chronic illness, child learning disabilities, family stress and economic loss- to death.
Congressman Bobby L. Rush has reintroduced The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act to the 111th Congress! During the 110th Congress, the legislation had over 130 bi partisan cosponsors and passed the United States House of Representatives on October 15th, 2007 by a vote of 382-3. I was so very proud to be sitting in the Congressional Gallery on that triumphant day as a unified Congress validated the suffering of millions of American women and families by promising more support to help end this public health crisis. Congressman Rush never forgot the Chicago constituent – Melanie Blocker Stokes – who lost her life to this illness and whose tragic death inspired his decades long devotion to end maternal suffering.
In the U.S. Senate, Senator Robert Menendez has been similarly steadfast in his devotion and promotion of The MOTHERS Act. Initially based on New Jersey’s groundbreaking law inspired by PPD Survivor and former New Jersey First Lady Mary Jo Codey and spearheaded to passage by her husband N.J. State Senate President Richard Codey, the passage of this legislation has resulted in increased availability of services, public awareness campaigns and state-wide hot lines responsive to the crisis.
While repeated attempts by Senator Menendez and other senate leaders to pass the bill last fall narrowly missed, one pivotal result was that the national spotlight again became fixed on this incomprehensible Congressional stalemate. The resulting new waves of national attention and support for this bill and its clear, purposeful mission have further galvanized public support and public outcry for its passage.
The research, education, public awareness campaigns and grants for treatment and supportive services requested in The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act will help to end the untold agony that too often goes unrecognized, undiagnosed and untreated. The countless women who walk through my practice door feeling shamed and marginalized for the medical illness they are trying to fight alone must know that these common disorders can afflict anyone - that these illness are treatable - that they did nothing to cause it - that they will be well again! That they are NOT ALONE! As president-elect Barack Obama- one of the bill’s initial lead sponsors – takes the nation’s helm this week, we anticipate a timely convergence of forces which will lend impetus to the bill’s passage this year.In addition to our legislative leaders, many thanks to all of you who have given voice and time and energy to turn this tide on the ignorance and suffering that has plagued American mothers and their families for decades – your moment is coming! With your renewed support and advocacy, we will pass The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act in 2009!
Summary of the Legislation
Section 1:Short title of the bill- The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act.
TITLE I- Research
·Encourages HHS to coordinate and continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find treatments for, postpartum conditions.Also, encourages a National Public Awareness Campaign, to be administered by HHS, to increase awareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and psychosis.
·Sense of Congress that the Director of the NIH may conduct a nationally representative longitudinal study of the relative mental health consequences for women of resolving a pregnancy (intended or unintended) in various ways, including carrying the pregnancy to term and parenting the child, carrying the pregnancy to term and placing the child for adoption, miscarriage, and having an abortion.This study may assess the incidence, timing, magnitude, and duration of the immediate and long-term mental health consequences (positive and negative) of these pregnancy outcomes.
TITLE II- Delivery of Services
·Encourages HHS to make grants available for projects for the establishment, operation, and coordination of systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum depression.
o(Entities):Makes grants available to public or nonprofit private entity, which may include a State or local government, a public-private partnership, a recipient of a grant under the Healthy Start program, a public or nonprofit private hospital, community-based organization, hospice, ambulatory care facility, community health center, migrant health center, public housing primary care center, or homeless health center, or any other appropriate public or nonprofit private entity.
o(Activities): Eligible activities include delivering or enhancing 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.
TITLE III- General Provisions
·(Funding):Authorizes $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2009 and 2010.
·(HHS Report):Requires the Secretary of HHS to conduct a study on the benefits of screening for postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
·(Limitation): The Secretary may not utilize amounts made available under this Act to carry out activities or programs that are duplicative of activities or programs that are currently being carried out through the Dept of HHS.
Supporters Postpartum Support International Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses American Psychological Association American Psychiatric Association Children’s Defense Fund American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists March of Dimes Mental Health America American College of Nurse Midwives National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Suicide Prevention Action Network USA National Alliance on Mental Illness Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs National Partnership for Women & Families OWL- The Voice of Midlife and Older Women National Women’s Law Center
September 24, 2008
Congress considers billion dollar bailout for Wall Street, but not a dime for mothers struggling with postpartum depression
Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW
While our senate heroes, who include U. S. Senators Robert Menendez and Richard Durbin of IL, co sponsors of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act ; and their supporters including Presidential Candidate Barack Obama and many others from both sides of the aisle, lost a battle in the U.S. Senate today, we have not lost the war against postpartum depression. Indeed, this setback is not due to the lack of national support for the legislation, but a defiant blockade by one Senator, Republican Tom Coburn of Oklahoma who has singlehandedly denied this and other bills with a Senatorial procedural loophole never meant to overturn the will of the people.
While Senator Coburn himself failed to appear at today's hearing thereby sparing himself and his conscience further consideration of facts which would have made such action impossible, he sent a surrogate whose mission was to continue his objection to the legislation thereby "denying relief to hundreds of thousands of mothers who suffer from the condition each year" said Senator Robert Menendez who advocated for the bill's passage.
Despite today's setback, Senator Menendez reaffirmed his commitment to continue this critical battle “Hundreds of thousands of women across the country suffer at the hands of postpartum depression every year, and they deserve better than the ideological games being played with legislation intended to bring them relief,” said Senator Menendez. “This is a cause I am committed to seeing through, and I will continue to stand up on behalf of mothers suffering from this condition until the blockade is cleared.”
Among the MOTHERS Act’s champions is former New Jersey First Lady Mary Jo Codey, Carol Blocker, mother of the woman for whom the legislation was named who died from postpartum illness who prays everyday this bill will pass, Brooke Shields, who spoke passionately in support of the legislation at a Capitol Hill Press Conference, Valerie Plame Wilson, who wrote about her experiences with postpartum depression in her best selling book Fair Game, Joan Mudd who lost her daugher to postpartum depression and formed the Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Foundation in Chicago, IL, and many others who remain staunchly committed to this issue.
Congressman Bobby L. Rush who sponsored the bill's counterpart in the U.S. House of Representatives, saw it pass passed in October '07 with a nearly unanimous bipartisan vote. It would likely have enjoyed the same fate in the U.S. Senate long before now if a handful of legislators were as interested in representing the will of their constituents and the compelling science and research which clearly substantiates the need for this legislation. Birdie Meyer, President of Postpartum Support International, (www.postpartum.net) the bill's lead organizational sponsor said: "The effects of pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety can be devastating to the mother, the baby, the partner, the family, and society. Passing the Melanie Blocker Stokes Mother's Act would have provided nationwide education and recognition of this illness. Childbearing women and their families deserve to have this education in every city, every hospital, every clinic, everywhere."
"After years of needless suffering, American women need the relief that would have been provided from increased research into the causes of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, better education of healthcare professionals to identify and treat these disorders, and grants for programs and services to help women recover," said Katherine Stone, former director of marketing at The Coca-Cola Company and creator of Postpartum Progress, (www.postpartumprogress.typepad.com) the most widely-read blog in the U.S. on postpartum depression. "It is critical to foster healthy family development by preventing the serious physical and mental health problems affecting both mother and child that stem from undiagnosed or improperly treated postpartum depression."
Dr. Shoshana Bennett, former president of Postpartum Support International, and a survivor of two life-threatening, undiagnosed postpartum depressions, said – I urge you to reconsider this bill and pass The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act.
Sylvia Lasalandra, author of A Daughter's Touch and a longtime advocate for the legislation who traveled to Capitol Hill to speak in support of its passage stated,The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS ACT would have provided supportive services to women suffering from postpartum depression and psychosis. It would have helped educate mothers and their families about PPD. An illness that effects close to 800,000 women in the U.S. alone! Shame on you Senator Coburn!
Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW, chair President's Advisory Council, Postpartum Support International (www.perinatalpro.com) stated, "It seems our Senate has lost its way on this one offering an a troubling analogy to what has many Americans mistrustful of their Congressional representatives. Within our federal mortgage agencies, decisions made by very few in meetings deaf to constituent welfare have brought our country to the brink of bankruptcy. And today, a decision made by one person refusing to defer to his constituents will and the indisputable science, research and statistics that support the need for this legislation, means thousands of innocents will go without. Lives will be lost and families irreparably damaged. Billions for the guilty, not a dime for our nation's most critical and innocent social dyad of mother and child."
When did such legislators decide that in the world's greatest democracy, individual opinion trumps society's need and responsibility to constituents? While we await the inevitable passage of this legislation at the next session, more lives will be lost and the agony of infants and families attempting to battle this public health crisis will continue. Below is an outline of the bill's benign and noble purpose:
The legislation would increase federal efforts to combat postpartum depression by:
·Coordinating and continuing research to better understand the causes of, and treatment for, postpartum conditions. Also, supports a National Public Awareness Campaign to increase awareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and psychosis.
·Creating a grant program for the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum depression.
·Conducting a study on the benefits of screening for postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
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.
Groups supporting the legislation
Postpartum Support International Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses American Psychological Association American Psychiatric Association Children’s Defense Fund American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists March of Dimes Mental Health America American College of Nurse Midwives National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Suicide Prevention Action Network USA National Alliance on Mental Illness Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs National Partnership for Women & Families OWL- The Voice of Midlife and Older Women National Women’s Law Center
September, 2008
Republicans Bail on Advancing American Priorities Act,
but there is still encouraging news!
Despite yesterday's senate vote not to consider The Advancing American Priorities Act at this time - which included The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act , the bill will come up again sometime soon. The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act is not "dead" nor was it "defeated". While Republicans except for Senators Warner, Coleman and Smith continued their obstructionist ways and chose not to move forward on yesterday's package of bills, The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act actually has garnered broad bipartisan support. Yet its lead Republican sponsor - Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine - yesterday voted against this package of non controversial bills. I have begun the process of requesting statements from all senators whom voted NAY and I will share them with you.
But there is good news! The inclusion of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act in this package generated unprecedented coverage by major press agencies resulting in even more attention and awareness of the need for its critical initiatives for mothers, infants and families. We have been deluged with requests for information about the bill, emailed and faxed hundreds of copies taking full advantage of this current national platform to solidify ever wider, bipartisan support for this "no brainer" bill.
We are thankful to Senator Robert Menendez and Senator Harry Reid for including this bill in The Advancing American's Priorities Act and their determination to end the public health crisis of untreated maternal depression. We applaud their efforts and that of every senator who voted to end needless suffering. The vote was very close. The current national spotlight also refocuses attention on legislative obstructionists responsible not only for suspension of the bill's progress, but for the lowest Congressional rating in history. The failure of our elected officials to recognize and adopt an initiative as basic and indisputable as supporting the mental health of America's new mothers and their infants suggests a legislator/constituent divide that might only be healed through an election cycle bringing new blood and energy to an impotent Congress.
While disappointed in yesterday's outcome, we remain encouragingly galvanized by our widening circle of support, this week's national attention on our issue and an election which promises to shake the status quo to its core.
Meanwhile, THANK YOU to the 20,000 plus individuals who have written letters, signed the petition and verbalized their support. Thank you to the community of bloggers, who have helped spread the urgent message to mothers and families nationwide. Thank you to the national media outlets who now offer their support for the bill's adoption and join us in expressing outrage at its further delay. We continue to prepare for the next presentation of The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act with a growing force of American families who have waited too long and long enough.