Monday, April 27, 2009

Support Group Meeting Tonight

Our next support group meeting is tonight at 7pm.

We'll be at our usual location, Northwest Counseling Services.

Please call the Support Line (614)315-8989 or email me, tonya@poemonline.org for more information.

It’s okay to reach out for help.
That’s why we’re here.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Senator Menendez commends blog week for MBSMA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2009

CONTACTS:Menendez Press Office 202-224-4744

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.
# # # end of release

Monday, April 20, 2009

Show your support for The MOTHERS Act


Two things you must do this week:
1) Add your name to the list of Ohioans who support The MOTHERS Act at Perinatal Pro. Either send your name to me, tonya@poemonline.org or to susanstonelcsw@aol.com. If you send to Susan: along with your name, be sure to include your state and any affiliations.
2) Call Senator Sherrod Brown and let him know Ohio supports The MOTHERS Act. Here's his number: 202-224-2315
Lend your voice.
It is powerful.
Join the growing list of supporters of this vital legislation.
Thank you, Lauren, for leading this grassroots effort!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

PPD on ABC's General Hospital

The daytime soap opera "General Hospital" has recently carried a storyline of a character battling with Postpartum Depression. Since the show is obviously created for the purpose of entertainment, there's no duty nor expectation for them to create each detail with precise medical accuracy. Having said that, as a far-reaching media outlet, one would expect them to bear some responsibility in disseminating fairly accurate information. While I've not personally seen even a snippet of the show itself, the chatter in our postpartum circles has indicated that the coverage has been a mix of the expected from an entertainment outlet.

Postpartum Support International's (the organization for which POEM is the Ohio coordinator) President, Birdie Meyer, made an excellent statement about the desired outcome: "We are happy that they are covering the subject and want to bring attention to this disease."

In the ABC Press Release regarding the subject, Birdie goes on to say: “PSI is honored that the producers and writers of ‘General Hospital’ felt the topic of postpartum depression was an important one to share with their audience,” said Meyer. “Millions of women’s lives can be saved by ending the fear and isolation of sufferers and offering access to treatment resources. We are grateful to ABC Daytime following up with a public service announcement and helping to raise awareness of what is truly the most common complication of childbirth.”

Thursday, April 9, 2009

More on The MOTHERS Act

Lauren Hale nobly works on setting the record straight on The MOTHERS Act at Sharing the Journey. Check it out.

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act

It only takes a few seconds of your time. STAND UP for mothers and families coping with postpartum depression. EMAIL your name (and any affiliations you may have) to POEM or to Susan Stone today. Our Senators must know that Ohio supports the MOTHERS Act. Please read on:

From Susan Stone-
This bill will provide funding for a wide variety of supportive services for mothers and families suffering from these illnesses; with healthcare reform a major part of the senate dialogue over these next few weeks, it is very important that our issue not be lost. We are going to send the listings to all U.S. Senators the week of Mothers Day. The list will be maintained until the legislation is passed, so you don't have to do this again!

The actual bill can be read, and listings of state by state support can be viewed at http://www.perinatalpro.com/ppdlegislation/listingofsupporters.html

Monday, April 6, 2009

Pec Indman!

One of our very favorite healthcare professionals in the perinatal mood disorder world now has her own website, http://www.pecindman.com/. She's truly warm, engaging and inspiring in her educational seminars for those of us who care for perinatal mamas.

If you're pregnant, here's a must-read on her site: Mental Fitness for Labor & Delivery

And, here's an article for postpartum moms: Life in the Postpartum Lane

There's a section that reminds me of the "I am not my emotions" chat we had at the last meeting...where she says "feelings are feelings! They are not logical, rational, right or wrong. Allow yourself to feel them, and find someone safe and non-judgmental to talk to about them."
Thank you, Pec, for your continued work for moms!