A new research study published in the July edition of the American Journal of Public Health looks at the factors that detrimentally affect the general mental health of the mothers of young children.

Among women with children ages four months to three years (35 months), these three conditions are the biggest predictors of poor maternal mental health:

* Lack of emotional support - No one to rely on for day-to-day emotional help with parenting (3.4 times more likely to experience mental health problems)

* Lack of functional support in caring for children - Little or no help with child care when mothers need a break (2.2 times more likely to experience mental health problems)

* Spending too much time alone caring for their child (3.5 times more likely to experience mental health problems)

Mothers who reported having just one of the above parenting-related stressors had triple the risk of poor mental health, while women who had two or more of the above stressors increased a mental health risk x12.

The authors' conclusions: Improving family leave policies and making high quality childcare more 'affordable and accessible' could help ease the stresses on mothers. Once again proving the point...The personal is political!

Posted by Sarah M. at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Thanks to Postpartum Support International's (PSI) fabulous Wendy Davis for sending this announcement:

Past-PSI president and mental health practitioner Diana Lynn Barnes will be interviewed on the CBS Early Show
Monday morning, June 11

Diana will be discussing issues addressed in her new book, The Journey to Parenthood: Myths, Reality, & What Really Matters, by Diana Lynn Barnes, Psy.D, and Leigh Balber, Radcliffe Publishing, 2007.

Again, CBS leads the way in positively addressing perinatal mood disorders research and treatment!

Posted by Sarah M. at 07:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

An important story appeared in yesterday's Los Angeles Times - Thanks to reporter Denise Gellene!

"War Wives at Greater Risk of Postpartum Depression:
Researchers say spouses of deployed servicemen should be screened after giving birth"

The story highlights a study presented at last week's annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, held in San Diego.

As the lead reads:

"Women with spouses on military deployment during their pregnancies face a nearly threefold higher risk for postpartum depression in initial screening tests, researchers reported this week.

The findings mean that military wives should be informed of the risk and aggressively screened for depression during their postpartum medical exams, said lead author Dr. Jeffrey Millegan of the Naval Medical Center in San Diego."

Posted by Sarah M. at 05:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This important call-to-action from Susan Stone, president of Postparutm Suport International (PSI):

Last Friday, Senator Robert Menendez reintroduced The MOTHER's Act at a Capitol Hill press conference. Also speaking were Congressman Bobby L Rush, NJ First Lady Mary Jo Codey, actress Brooke Shields, author Sylvia Lasalandra, advocate Carol Blocker and PSI president Susan Dowd Stone.

While The MOTHER's Act is gathering steam, we still need Senate co-sponsors from BOTH sides of the aisle. Please call and write your local and state senators TODAY, reference the Capitol Hill press conference and ask them WHERE THEY STAND on this issue. Ask them to endorse this legislation. We must capitalize on this momentum to create more sponsorship for this important legislation. Please forward this email to all related consortia, healthcare facilities, maternal child health agencies and organizations.

You may find out who your local and state senators are by visiting this website.

Your support has gotten us this far. Please join in the final push!

Posted by Sarah M. at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (3)

This Mother's Day, one of my consulting clients, the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), has teamed up with Mental Health America (MHA) in support of its "Real Lives" program to increase awareness of perinatal mental health.

MHA's "Real Lives" program is one-of-a-kind, offering a forum for people to share stories about the challenges of dealing with mental health issues.

This virtual support group in-the-making holds potential to make a powerful impact by letting moms know that they are not alone and that help is available. For more information, click here.

Posted by Sarah M. at 02:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Many thanks to the fabulous Adrienne Griffen, advocate-mom and PSI coordinator for the state of Virginia, for this recap of today's Capitol Hill press conference to re-introduce The MOTHERS Act into Congress:

"The press conference was terrific. Senator Menendez and Representative Rush were well-educated in their understanding of the need for legislation that would screen women for PPD and provide information for them, as well as ongoing research. The five women who spoke were all passionate, articulate, and , in the words of Sen Menendez, 'forces to be reckoned with.'

Brooke Shields spoke emotionally about her experience with PPD following the birth of her first daughter, at times tearfully explaining how disconnected she felt from her daughter and how she wished she could "disappear permanently." She implored Congress "from the bottom of my heart" to pass this much-needed legislation.

Mary Jo Codey, the former First Lady of New Jersey and a longtime postpartum depression awareness advocate, also recounted her experience with postpartum depression 23 years ago following the birth of her son and her experience with electro-shock therapy treatment. Her message to Congress was the same: No other women should have to suffer the way that she did and that it would be a fitting Mother's Day present to women throughout the United States to pass this legislation.

Carol Blocker spoke about the postpartum psychosis that led to her daughter's suicide following the birth of her only child. She was tearful throughout the press conference as she recalled that her granddaughter asked yesterday whether they could make a cake for her mother.

Susan Stone, president of Postpartum Support International, spoke forcefully about the need to help women everywhere, adding that Iran was a recent addition to the list of countries where PSI volunteers are active. She explained how PPD affects women without regard for race, education, age, or socioeconomic status. Ms. Stone recounted that PSI's message to women is that "you are not alone, you are not to blame, and that with help, you will be well" -- important words for any woman experiencing PPD who feels isolated or like a bad mother.

Sylvia Lasalandra, a mother from New Jersey, told of her experience with postpartum psychosis, how she felt herself a "monster" who feared doing harm to her newborn daughter, and of how her parents cared for her daughter for several months while she recovered. She has since written a book called A Daughter's Touch, which was also the basis for an award-winning short film. (I was moved to tears by her story). She threatened Congress that if they did not act on this legislation that she would be back with her Sicilian mother (in dressing gown) in tow. Sen Menendez referred to Ms Lasalandra as a "firecracker," and she really was hot about this issue.

When asked whether they had been informed about PPD during any time prior to their experience, all the women responded that they had not, and they encouraged early education and screening as the primary tool for preventing PPD.

I was amazed at how much press coverage was there -- shows what a celebrity can do for a cause."

Thanks again, Adrienne, for sharing this play-by-play from the press conference!

p.s. The companion bill in the US House, the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Act (HR 20), now has over 110 sponsors. It's big progress!

Posted by Sarah M. at 02:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1348) | TrackBacks (4)

Thanks to AWHONN for speaking out swiftly and strongly after to today's re-introduction of The MOTHERS Act into Congress. Here's their release, hot off the press:

"The 'Moms' Opportunity to Access Help, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression Act' (MOTHERS Act), introduced today by Senator Menendez, is groundbreaking legislation that has the potential to help countless families and save lives.

The MOTHERS Act would award states grants to educate new mothers about PPD, screen them for the condition in the first year after birth and provide needed support in the event of a PPD diagnosis. A second grant program under the proposed law would subsidize direct medical assistance to PPD mothers and their families and support
needed research into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of the condition."

Posted by Sarah M. at 12:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (2)

A new study published in the International Breastfeeding Journal suggests that breastfeeding may help new mothers avoid or reduce the severity of depression.

This research worked from the premise that "new mothers experience an increase in inflammation due to high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines," and that "Common experiences associated with new motherhood, such as disturbed sleep and postpartum pain, can also act as stresses that cause pro-inflammatory levels to rise." (Wondering what a cytokine is? Me too. Click here for the basics.)

With new moms for whom breastfeeding is going well (and that's the clincher, isn't it??), the study found that "Breastfeeding can reduce women's stress levels, so that their inflammatory response systems remain inactive. This then reduces their risk of depression."

Here's the downside: When breastfeeding is difficult and or painful for the new mother, it can be more of a trigger for depression than a buffer. Study author Kathleen Kendall-Tackett's conclusion? "Mother's mental health is yet another reason to intervene quickly when breastfeeding difficulties arise."

Lactation consultants, postpartum doulas, and baby nurses/night nurses, who are often called in to help a family during early breastfeeding woes, really are on the front lines! They need to have a strong awareness of PPD and be able to make appropriate community referrals for moms who are struggling emotionally.

The study also cites exercise, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, cognitive therapy, St. John's Wort, and conventional antidepressant medications as treatments for depression that are anti-inflammatory.

Posted by Sarah M. at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (60) | TrackBacks (9)

Hot off the press, here's the release just issued by the offices of Senator Mendez and Representative Rush, in conjunction with Postpartum Support International (PSI):

A MOTHER'S DAY MESSAGE FROM BROOKE SHIELDS, SEN. MENENDEZ, REP. RUSH AND MARY JO CODEY

WASHINGTON - On Friday morning, leading into Mother's Day weekend, actress Brooke Shields will join U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Mary Jo Codey, wife of former New Jersey Governor Richard Codey, and others to announce the introduction of The MOTHERS Act in the Senate.

The legislation would initiate new federal investment in postpartum depression education, detection, and treatment programs for new mothers. Similar legislation - the Melanie Stokes Postpartum Depression Act - has been introduced in the House by Rep. Rush.

WHO: Brooke Shields, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), Mary Jo Codey (longtime postpartum depression awareness advocate, wife of former New Jersey Governor Richard Codey), Carol Blocker, (whose daughter, Melanie Blocker Stokes, took her own life after battling postpartum depression)

WHEN: FRIDAY, May 11, 10 a.m.

WHERE: 538 Dirksen Senate Office Building (Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee Hearing Room), Washington, DC

Posted by Sarah M. at 07:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1721) | TrackBacks (3)

For those among us who want things to be different for women but are loathe to get involved in the messiness of "politics," I like what former Virginia governor Mark Warner told attendees at the recent 58th Annual Council on Foundations Conference in Seattle:

"If you are really going to make meaningful, significant, long-term, substantive change, you've got to deal with the policy world."

Not necessarily comforting words...but true ones.

Posted by Sarah M. at 07:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (77) | TrackBacks (2)

Postpartum Support International (PSI) is now offering free Perinatal Mood Disorder Info Sessions via a 1-800 teleconference , with the next scheduled session this week - May 9 at 9 p.m. Eastern.

These Wednesday evening sessions, which are informational only, will be limited to the first 15 callers, offering participants the chance to ask questions and get information from PSI healthcare professionals. The sessions are open to any and all women who feel they may be suffering from a pregnancy-or-birth-related mood disorder (including depression, anxiety), as well as concerned partners, family members or friends.

Participants must call 1.800.944.8766 five minutes before the call begins. For more detailed instructions, click here.

Sessions will last approximately one hour, and callers can choose to remain anonymous.

Important: These info sesions are NOT meant to take the place of visits to healthcare providers, and they do not provide therapy! They provide educational information that can help you understand perinatal mood disorders, supporting you in getting the professional help you need.

THE CALL SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, May 9, 9 PM EST, Facilitator Tonya Honeycutt, PsyD

Wednesday, May 16, 3 PM EST, Facilitator Anne D.S. Smith, CNM

Wednesday, May 23, 9 PM EST, Facilitator Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW

Wednesday, May 30, 3 PM EST, Facilitator Birdie Gunyon Meyer, RN, MA, CLC

Posted by Sarah M. at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The B.S. that goes on in Congress is enough to choke a horse. I'm appalled at Rep. Nathan Deal's attempt to railroad the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Act at yesterday's House subcommittee hearing. He could very well co-opt, delay, or kill this bill, all in the interest of abortion politics.

In an obscene waste of taxpayer time and money, the ranking member decided to divert attention away from PPD by placing the subject of abortion-related depression at the center of his opening remarks. Ironically, Deal is a sponsor of the Blocker-Stokes Act - but it appears that he plans to use HR 20 as a staging ground for another agenda entirely. At best, it's a distraction from the issue of PPD. At worst... It's the lowest form of Capitol Hill slime.

Here's CQ HealthBeat and Kaiser's coverage of what went down:

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on Tuesday debated legislation (HR 20) that would aim to identify causes and treatments for postpartum depression, and some Republicans on the panel indicated that the measure should be amended to include language on "postabortion depression.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), would "expand and intensify" research at the National Institute of Mental Health and other agencies on postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. The bill also would provide grants through HHS for the "establishment, operation and coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services" for women with the conditions and their families (HR 20 text, 5/2). Rush has been working for passage of the bill since 2001.

Rep. Nathan Deal (R-Ga.) -- the ranking member on the subcommittee and co-sponsor of the legislation -- said in his opening statement that postpartum depression "has consequences not only for the woman but for the child and the family as a whole." He added that more should be known about all aspects of depression, including depression that might occur after undergoing an abortion.

Deal's reference to abortion "triggered a rebuke" from Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), who called the reference "offensive," CQ HealthBeat reports. DeGette said that postabortion depression has not been recognized as a clinical condition by established medical professionals, adding that U.S. women have waited too long for action on postpartum depression to have the hearing diverted into a "political theatre."

Deal cited witness testimony from women who said they developed depression after undergoing abortion. He also said that he would not attempt to modify the bill to include research on the condition, but that his 'Republican colleagues might do so.'

Let me be frank: Thousands of new mothers suffering terribly from this misunderstood, grossly under-diagnosed illness need HELP NOW. Help that can be greatly facilitated by the federal government's funding of new research and public education. A new mama struggling in the depths of darkness - and a newborn baby who needs immediate care and affection - doesn't give a rat's ass about any other issue. She's not a part of your political game. She needs HELP for the condition of PPD, and she needs it NOW.

Deal, or no deal? If you want to assist Rep. Nathan Deal in focusing his attention on the issue at hand... Click here to contact his Washington, DC office, or call them at 202.225.5211. Let Deal's staff know that when he tries to railroad a hearing on a public health policy crucial to women, babies, and families, he doesn't speak for you. And you're not buyin' what he's sellin'.

Posted by Sarah M. at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (84) | TrackBacks (17)