The Perinatal Project: Mental Health Advocacy for Mothers

Contact:
Sarah K. Masterson
Co-Founder, The Perinatal Project
info -at- perinatalproject -dot- com

April 24, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

Introducing The Perinatal Project:
New Web-Based Organization Draws Attention to Mothers’ Mental Health

Did you know?

     • Between 10 and 20 percent of women experience depression during pregnancy. However, this condition is almost never screened for—or even discussed—during prenatal visits.

     • Depression, anxiety, and chronic stress during pregnancy are linked to poor health outcomes for both mother and baby.

     • One in eight new mothers experiences postpartum depression—making it “the number one complication of childbirth.”

      • PPD is a threat to the health and wellbeing of newborn babies, as well as mothers.

     • Postpartum mood disorders usually emerge gradually and can begin any time during the first year after giving birth.

      • A mother who suffers from untreated mental health issues is more likely to have a child with behavioral, developmental, and/or emotional difficulties.

To help fill in the gaps for women, advocates, and professionals who work with expectant and new mothers, The Perinatal Project has launched at www.perinatalproject.com. The Perinatal Project is a new, national not-for-profit organization that leverages the Internet for outreach, education, and networking.

The Perinatal Project’s Mission:

      • Raising public awareness about the impact of mental health on mothers, babies, and families

      • Providing outreach, information, and referrals to women

      • Enabling employers to better understand, recognize, and respond to perinatal mental health issues in the workplace

      • Promoting continuing education and increased awareness about mental health among medical care providers (including nurses, midwives, pediatricians, ob/gyns, family physicians, and others)

      • Strengthening networks among diverse professionals in the maternal-child health field, who can work together for better perinatal mental health

      • Advocating for women to decrease the persistent stigma around perinatal mental health issues

      • Promoting public policies that improve the health and welfare of mothers, babies, and families

Programs under development include:

      • Web-based educational materials for professionals in maternal-child health

      • Web-based educational materials for women and families

      • Web-based referrals to national, state, and local resources

      • A blog, updated regularly with news, features, and commentaries on perinatal mental health issues

      • Web-based articles from guest columnists, including women, community leaders, and professionals in the field

      • A listserv discussion group on perinatal mental health, designed for professionals in maternal-child health

      • An online calendar of events for professionals and advocates

      • A weekly, email-based news-clip service, covering state, national, and international headlines in maternal-child health

      • Web-based surveys for the long-term collection of data related to perinatal mental health

      • Downloadable materials on perinatal mental health, such as e-books, brochures, presentations, and training curriculum

      • A speakers’ bureau on perinatal mental health

The Perinatal Project was founded in January 2006 by Sarah Masterson, the activist mother of a two-year-old. Masterson is a writer and consultant with a background in psychology, women’s studies, communications, and research. Her recent clients have included the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition and the National Partnership for Immunization. Sarah is training as a childbirth educator and volunteers as the pregnancy editor for BellaOnline.com. She is also the author of a local guide for pregnant women and new parents, DC BABY: A Handbook for Parenting In (& Around) the Capitol City (www.dc-baby.com)

“As a depression survivor and the new mother of a beautiful daughter, I’m frustrated about our lack of progress around women’s mental health care – and mental health care in general,” said Masterson.

“I know first-hand how hard it can be to make mental health a priority, to find and get the help you need, when and where you need it. Those who have the power to shape private lives and public health – policymakers and politicians, insurance companies and employers, even many medical professionals – still don’t seem to take mental health seriously, despite a great deal of evidence that this neglect has a ripple effect in our families, our communities, our workplaces, and our economy. The stigma and ignorance surrounding mental health continues to cost us immeasurably. I hope The Perinatal Project will be able to contribute to a real and lasting change in the lives of women and their families.”

The Perinatal Project’s website is under development at www.perinatalproject.com. Updates and new content are added weekly – check back regularly!

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