Even within professional circles, many are not aware of the vast amount of good that has come from the tragedy experienced by Andrea Yates and her family - particularly in the policy and prevention arenas.

Within two years after Andrea suffered her psychotic break and killed her children at the family home in Houston, the state of Texas passed groundbreaking legislation that has for the past three years served to prevent the suffering of untold numbers of mothers, children, and families. H.B. 341, "The Andrea Yates Bill," requires that all healthcare providers working with pregnant, birthing and postpartum women - including hospitals, birth centers, physicians, and midwives - provide the woman a resource list of the names, addresses, and phone numbers of professional organizations that provide postpartum counseling or related assistance.

In 2006 the Texas legislature did another good thing by significantly strengthening and expanding the provisions of this law: "The Andrea Yates Bill of 2006". It will serve as an excellent model for other states in the years to come, by bringing birth fathers and other family members into the support network, educating parents about Shaken Baby Syndrome and anger and stress control, and generally providing a more comprehensive coverage of the mental health issues that affect huge numbers of new parents and are part of any holistic healthcare delivery system.

In addition, the Greater Houston chapter of the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) has established the Yates Children Memorial Fund for Women's Health, which provides education and information about postpartum illness to women, their families, and healthcare professionals.

The Yates case was also instrumental in the Houston chapter of NMHA's creation of a "Speak Up When You're Down" education campaign on perinatal mental health. The campaign evolved into the Women's Mental Health Initiative of Houston - a model program that can be emulated by communities in any state.