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Cheers for AWHONN's support of The MOTHERS Act

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.

Unfortunately, postpartum depression (PPD) usually receives the kind of public attention it deserves only after tragedy strikes and this complex medical condition drives a new mother to endanger or end her own life or that of her spouse or children. But the impacts of this illness are certainly not limited to the sensational.

Each year in this country, more than 400,000 new mothers suffer debilitating postpartum depression, a prevalence that continues unabated. PPD can lead to alienation from loved ones, daily dysfunction due to overwhelming sorrow and disorientation and at its most extreme, personal terror resulting in dangerous thoughts and violent
actions. Our nation can and must do more to help those afflicted with this painful outcome of humankind's most natural event - childbirth.

The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) urges every Member of Congress to support this crucial legislation.

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. on May 11, 2007 12:44 PM |

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Comments

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Posted by: Geoff Young | April 9, 2008 05:43 AM

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