Postpartum Progress

Maine Tackles Postpartum Depression

The Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians (MAPP) has developed a Postpartum Depression Project in recognition of the fact that postpartum depression is under-diagnosed and under-treated and can have long-term adverse effects on women and children.  MAPP received a grant from the American Psychiatric Association to provide training programs and easy access to educational materials about postpartum depression throughout the state of Maine.  They now have psychiatrists who provide educational presentations in the form of grand rounds and visits to OB/GYN and other practices.  They have sponsored two large trainings on the topic and have developed patient educational materials and posters.  The are now working to get media coverage of the issue in their state and to develop training sessions for emergency room workers who do crisis evaluations.

"We really emphasize the fact that treatment for the mother is also an early intervention for a child and that early recognition and intervention is most effective for moms," said Dr. P. Lynn Ouellette, an officer of MAPP and chair of MAPP's Postpartum Depression Project. 

Their ultimate goal is to increase the recognition and treatment of mood disorders both during pregnancy and the postpartum period and to encourage collaboration between psychiatry and other healthcare providers. 

NJ Symposium on Sensitive Perinatal Bereavement Care

The Englewood Hospital Medical Center and Northern New Jersey Maternal Child Health Consortium will host "Providing Compassionate Care for Perinatal Loss and Grief" on December 2 from 8am to 3:45pm in Englewood, NJ.  To learn more or to register for the event, click here.

Lots of Upcoming PPD Events Around the Country

A few events to tell you about happening in the next few weeks around the country:

The Maternal Mental Health Task Force of Middle Tennessee is hosting a meeting on Monday, September 28th at 6pm at the Hope Clinic for Women in Nashville.  Both professionals and consumer advocates are welcome to attend.  For more information, call 615-556-3037.

Postpartum Support Virginia is offering a one-day training session for interested volunteers who wish to support women experiencing depression or anxiety related to pregnancy and childbirth.  The training will be held at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA on Friday, October 2nd.   The event costs $50 and includes lunch and a workbook.  For more information, email info@postpartumva.org.

Also, PSI of Washington will be hosting "Mother/Daughter Wounds: Challenges and Victories of Undermothered Women" on September 21st from 7 to 8:30 at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA.  To RSVP call 1-888-404-7763 or email heidikossnobel@comcast.net. 

The Postpartum Resource Center of New York will be hosting a Volunteer Dinner Meeting on sunday, September 27th at the Resource Center in West Islip, NY from 4:30 to 7pm.  For more information, contact info@postpartumny or call 6310422.2255.

There will be a Perinatal Mood Disorder Training event (this is PSI's 2-day training) in Tucson, AZ, on October 8th and 9th at Child and Family Resources Inc.  For more information and to register, click here.  The registration fee is $225.

And Baby Blues Connection of Oregon will be hosting a Wine Tasting and Auction on October 8th.  The event, by invitation only, will be held to thank their wonderful volunteers and supporters.

Free Perinatal Mood Disorder Training In NY On Sept. 22

The Postpartum Resource Center of New York will present a free perinatal mood disorder training session on Tuesday, September 22 at the Islandia Village Hall in Islandia, NY, from 9am to 12:30pm.  This training, entitled "Building A Perinatal Depression Safety Net in Our Community" will be presented by Sonia Murdock, executive director of the Postpartum Resource Center of New York.  Seating is limited and pre-registration is required.  To register, email info@postpartumny.org or call 631-422-2255.

This free event is being made possible with funds provided by the Disney VoluntEARS Community Fund and the Wal-Mart Foundation Community Giving Grant from the Wal-Mart in Islandia, NY.

Registration Opens for PSI Annual Conference

Registration is now open for the Postpartum Support International Annual Conference, held this year in sunny Los Angeles.  The event is August 4-7, with the pre-conference on the 4th and 5th, and the main conference on the 6th and 7th.  It is co-hosted this year by PSI and the Perinatal Mental Health Task Force of LA County and will be held at the California Endowment.  To register, click here!

The conference hotel is the Millenium Biltmore.  A discounted room rate of $145 per night has been reserved for conference attendees.  Please request the group rate for "Postpartum Support International Conference".    To book online with group discount please go to:  https://reservations.synxis.com/lbe/rez.aspx?hotel=11535&arrive=08%2F03%2F2009&nights=4&adult=1&group=PSIAUG2009&promo=&iata=&step=1

More Postpartum Depression Training Events

On June 2 and 3, the Broward Healthy Start Coalition will hold its inaugural Maternal Child Health Institute Conference, featuring the PSI 2-day training on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.  The event will be held in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  Click here for more info.

Additionally, the Washington Association of Infant Mental Health will be hosting an interdisciplinary conference entitled "What Is A Mother?" on Saturday, May 16 at the University of Washington.  Anyone with questions or needing more info should call Margaret Bergmann-Ness at 206-551-4824. 

Postpartum Progress Event Calendar

In case you haven't noticed, and I'm guessing you probably haven't because this blog is so chock full o' stuff that it's hard to keep track, I've added a calendar feature.  It's on the right sidebar -- scroll down past "Readers' Favorites" and you'll find it.  I'm testing it out from Trumba.  It's an easy-to-use gadget.  If you just mouse over the title of the event and wait a second, a box will pop up and give you all the info you need. Super cool.

Trouble is, it costs $100 per month.  Yes, you heard right.  That's a little rich for a girl with a $0 budget.  So either someone wants to sponsor the Postpartum Progress events calendar at $1000 per year, or the Trumba calendar goes away in a day or so after my free trial ends.  I told them I thought it was way too expensive, and they told me, in so many words, "Oh well."  So much for trying. 

I added the calendar because, to be honest, I'm having a really hard time keeping track of all these events that keep coming up.  I write about them, then that post goes away, out of sight, out of mind, and we all forget what's happening when.  So check it out.  If you know anyone who wants to pay for it, let me know.  If you know of a better or equally as good, and FREE, calendar widget, let me know that too.  I want to make sure that all the fundraising events, training and education conferences, speeches and 5k walks held around the country are easily accessed by Postpartum Progress readers.

NJ Training in May; Minnesota Training Event in June

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and the Hudson Perinatal Consortium are hosting an event called "On the Front Line of Perinatal Mood Disorders: Practical Strategies for NJ Healthcare and Social Service Providers" on May 27 in Edison, NJ.  This conference is open to all NJ social workers, nurses, home health aides, DYFS workers, psychologists, health educators and home visitors.  Speakers include Mary Jo Codey, Susan Stone, Margaret Spinello, Cheryl Tatano Beck and others.  The deadline to register is May 13 -- visit www.speakupevent.com to sign up! 

NAMI Minnesota will present "Beyond the Baby Blues IV -- Motherhood, Mood Disorders and Anxiety: Before, During and After Pregnancy" on June 23, 2009 at the University of Minnesota Continuing Education & Conference Center.  The event will be held from 8:30am to 3:30pm.  To register, call 651-645-2948 or 1-888-NAMI-HELPS or visit www.namihelps.org.

May/June Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder Professional Events

A reminder on some upcoming perinatal mood and anxiety disorder training events for healthcare professionals, as well as one event for moms:

The early registration deadline for the postpartum depression conference May 7-8 at the National Institute of Mental Health has been extended until April 15.  They extended the deadline because they were able to add CEUs for psychologists, therapists and social workers to the event.  Register now at www.postpartumva.org.

The Suffolk (NY) Perinatal Mood Disorders Task Force will present "Perinatal Mood Disorders: Pharmacologic Treatment in Pregnancy, Postpartum and Lactation" featuring Dr. Shari Lusskin on Tuesday, May 12th, from 5 to 9pm at the Touro Law Center in Central Islip, NY.  Seating is limited.  A light dinner will be provided.  Please call to register by May 4th at 631-475-5400.

Karen Kleiman at the Postpartum Stress Center is offering a 10-hour post-graduate training program on June 5 and 6 designed to enhance clinical skills and therapeutic effectiveness in the treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.  The event will be held in Rosemont, PA.  For more information, click here.

Author Natalie Dombrowski will host the 1st Annual Expectant Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 3, from 11:30am to 3pm at the Palos Country Club in Orland Park, IL.  The lunch will feature a presentation on the first year postpartum by Dr. Josephine Dlugopolski-Gach.  The event costs $29.95 per guest and all reservations must be received no later than noon on Friday, April 24.  To attend, contact nataliedombroski@live.com or call 708-710-1206.

Also, UCSF Fresno will be presenting its 2nd Annual Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder Conference on Thursday, April 23 from 7:30am to 4:30pm at the UCSF Fresno Center for Medical Education & Research.  Speakers include Dr. Shaila Misri, Jane Honikman and Dr. De-Kun Li.  For registration, go to www.perinatal-mentalhealth-training.com.  You can also register the day of the event.

PPD Training in DC & Oklahoma this May

A reminder that PSI's "Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care" 2-day training on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders will be held May 7-8 at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.  To register, visit www.postpartumva.org. 

Also, Oklahoma Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies will present the two-day training program on May 20-21 in Oklahoma City. This course is evidence-based and includes information concerning screening, assessment, and treatment of Perinatal Mood Disorders. Featured Speakers include: Dr. Pec Indman and Ms. Meeka Centimano, LCSW. CEU’s will be available for Social Work, LMFT/LPC, Case Managers, Prevention Specialists, and Registered Nurses. For more information please contact Bonnie Bellah at (405) 236-5437 ext: 105.

Maternal Mental Health Event in the Bronx

Here's a free conference in the Bronx at the Jacobi Conference Center on maternal mental health:  "Perinatal Centers Conference: Managing the Spectrum of Maternal Mental Health Issues from Conception Through the Neonatal Experience" on Tuesday, March 31 from 7:45am to 4:30pm.  It's in the Nurses Residence, Building 4, 2nd Floor.  CME and CEU credits are available.  For more info, contact Marlene Allison at 212-788-3477.

 

Schedule of Spring 2009 Events for PPD Awareness & Training

There are a lot of upcoming events that I've written about before but want to do a quick roundup and remind you of them here:

This Friday, February 27, I'll be at the Depression In the Mother conference held at the Brooklyn Baptist Church Convention Center in West Columbia, South Carolina.  The event goes from 8am to 4pm and contact hours are available for social workers, nurses and counselors/therapists.  To register, click here: http://mha-sc.org/Training/index.php?TRID=25.  Registration costs $40 and includes lunch.  Hope to see you there!

The Lunafest film festival, featuring short films by and about women, will be held on Wednesday, March 5, at the Arlington Draft House in Arlington, Virginia.  Tickets are $15 and the event starts at 7pm with a silent auction.  The event will benefit Postpartum Support Virginia, among other organizations.

Postpartum Support International will sponsor a two-day training, Perinatal Mood Disorders (PMD): Components of Care on March 12-13 in Indianapolis, IN.   The course is evidence-based and is designed for nurses, physicians, social workers, mental health professionals or anyone interested in acquiring formal knowledge about the subject.   It will be held at the Petticrew Auditorium at Methodist Hospital.  For further information, call 317-962-8078.  The same PSI training will be held March 26-27 in Plymouth, Michigan.  Click here to register: http://treeofhopefoundation.org/BrochureReg%20Form.pdf  PSI's training will also be held April 25-26 in Cupertino (San Jose area), California.  For more information, including a complete list of training objectives or to register, go to http://www.perinataltraining.com/Perinatal_Training.html.  AND, as if that wasn't enough, the training will also be held in Washington DC May 7-8 at the National Institutes of Health.  For more info, visit www.postpartumva.org.  I highly recommend these events for anyone who wants to specialize in treating women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

The Sounds of Silence Foundation will host the 2nd annual 5k Run/Walk/Stroller-Walk event on Saturday, May 9th at 9:30am at Jones Beach State Park on Long Island.  Race proceeds will benefit the Posptartum Resource Center of New York.   To register, click here: http://www.soundsofsilencefoundation.org/news/index.php?id=7 

Advanced Training on PPD Treatment in NJ This Fall

The Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative is hosting an event called "Breaking Down Walls: New Options in Postpartum Depression Treatment" on October 10 in Princeton.  This conference is aimed at clinicians who have a basic understanding of postpartum depression and want to enhance this knowledge with some advanced expertise.  Speakers include Susan Stone, Karen Kleiman, Shoshanna Bennett and Margaret Howard.  The event fee is $65 and includes breakfast, lunch, contact hours and course materials.  Pre-registration is required by Friday, September 26.

Come See Me in Chicago at the Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Perinatal Depression Conference!

Mercy Hospital & Medical Center is presenting the Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Perinatal Depression Conference at the University Club of Chicago on October 17, 2008.  Continuing education credits are being provided by the University of Illinois at Chicago and the St. Xavier School of Nursing.  Speakers include lots of fabulous people I am big fans of, including:

• Sonia Murdock, Executive Director of the Postpartum Resource Center of NY
• Dr. Manny Alvarez, Chairman of the Dept. of Obstetrics at Hackensack University Medical School and Chief Health Editor for FOX News
• Birdie Meyer, President of PSI and coordinator of the Clarian Health Perinatal Mood Disorders Program
• Dr. Lee Cohen, Director of the Reproductive Psychiatry Clinical Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital
• Dr. Laura Miller, Director of Clinical Services at the Dept. of Psychiatry of the University of Illinois at Chicago
• George Parnham, whom you may recognize as Andrea Yates' lawyer

There will be other speakers as well, including me, which I'm very excited about.  It's an honor to be invited to speak among all these people who know a whole lot more than I do.  I hope to see some of you there!

You can register online for this event at www.mercy-chicago.org/ppd/.

ALSO:  On November 6, the Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Postpartum Depression Foundation Benefit will be held at the Chicago History Museum.  (I got married at the Chicago Historical Society, FYI.  Great place.)  The event will be held from 5:30 to 9pm and will raise money to support the foundation's programs.  This year it will feature an interview with celebrated photographer Victor Skrebneski by Chicago Tribune columnist Rick Kogan.  Tickets are $150 per person.  To reserve tickets or get more info, please visit www.ppdchicago.org or call 773-477-2252.  Please reserve your tickets by October 31.  This is a wonderful organization that deserves your support. 

 

PSI Hosts 2-Day Training in Tampa in October

University Community Hospital in Tampa, Florida, will be hosting Postpartum Support International's 2-day training program entitled "Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care" on October 24 and 25.  The conference will be held at Pepin, the hospital's heart institute.  Attendance is limited to the first 100 registrations.  For further information, please contact June Vinyard at 813-615-7907 or jvinyard@mail.uch.org.  This is a class very much worth taking, especially if you're considering in specializing in the treatment of perinatal mood disorders. 

Upcoming PSI Certification Training in Chicago

The next 2-day PSI certification training is being held September 18 and 19 at Advocate Christ Medical Center Auditorium in Oak Lawn, Illinois.  It is being presented by Advocate Christ Medical Center, the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center and the University of Illinois Perinatal Network.  For more info and to register, call 708-684-1153.

Perinatal Mood Disorder Awareness Events in Georgia

I am working with Mental Health America's Georgia chapter to increase awareness around the state of Georgia on perinatal mood disorders.  My "world tour" of Georgia, called "Project Healthy Moms", started last week at the Summit Ridge psychiatric hospital at the Gwinnett Medical Center.  Here's a list of some of my upcoming speeches -- all are welcome to attend:

• Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, GA, Thursday, June 26, noon
• Memorial University Medical Center, Savannah, GA, Thursday, July 10, noon, Classroom 4, Hoskins Center (for more information contact Betsi Egan at 912-350-5920 or email eganbe1@memorialhealth.com)
• Houston Medical Center, Warner-Robins, GA, Friday, August 1, 10am
• Georgia Perinatal Association Annual Conference, St. Simon's Island, GA, Thursday, September 11, 11:30am, Sea Palms Resort (click here for registration info)
• Central Georgia Medical Center, Macon, October 2nd
• Heart of Georgia Healthy Start, Eastman, GA, October 14th
• Polk Family Connection, Cedartown, GA, Wednesday, October 15th, 11am-12:30pm

Attendees will learn:

• One size does NOT fit all: Why postpartum depression is just part of a spectrum of mood disorders women may experience and what to look for
• The wide variety of risk factors for perinatal mood disorders
• Various treatment options
• Tools & resources available for healthcare providers

As more of these events are scheduled I will let you know.  And if you represent a healthcare organization or other group that would like to schedule one, let me know.  Email me at stonecallis@msn.com. 

Effectiveness of Wellpoint's "Maternity Depression" Program

I asked for input last week from anyone who had experience with Wellpoint's Maternity Depression program in California, where it was first rolled out, and wouldn't you know it the call was answered.  (I love the web!)  Here's what I heard:

I've been very disappointed in this program.  None of my Blue Cross clients recall getting anything in the mail about PPD. When I've talked to the Blue Cross people they tell me there are over 80 Blue Cross providers in my area all qualified to treat PPD [Sidebar: Mmm hmmm, right.  That's ridiculous. I can guarantee you there are not 80 people in the area this person comes from who are qualified.]   I spoke with one of the people in charge of the program.  She gave me about 8 names in my area with "possible expertise".  One is someone I know who has in fact received specialized training.  I called her and two others.  I got one call back. That woman had no training, and didn't seem qualified to me.  I haven't taken the time to call the others on the list. I spoke with them about specific postpartum mood disorder training for Blue Cross providers, and finding a way to incentivize them to get training.  She told me there was no funding for that. This is a case where, even if women do get their screening materials, there is no sound treatment available.  "Talk to your doctor" often isn't going to get women to the help they need. This program makes Blue Cross look like they care, but at least in my big city, there is no follow through. 

I'm not surprised.  Most insurance companies don't recognize that postpartum mood disorders are unique illnesses and that providers really need specific education in this area.  We talked about this a lot at the PSI conference.  If you think students of psychiatry in our nation's schools are getting a lot of education on PPMDs, you're wrong (with a few exceptions).  As many of us know, lots of providers will tell you they're experts but you quickly learn they're NOT.  My insurance company sent me to someone who really had no business treating me.  Many months later I switched to someone who had received specialized training in PPD and it was a much better experience.  I experienced major improvement after switching providers. I hope Wellpoint will take further steps to refine who they are referring women to.   

Highlights of Upcoming PSI Conference in Houston

If you want to know why it is DEFINITELY worth your while to attend Postpartum Support International's upcoming annual conference in Houston, here are a few very good reasons:

Margaret Howard, PhD will be speaking.  She is the Director of the Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, which is one of the nation's leading specialty hospitals for women and newborns.  It's the only hospital where pregnant and postpartum women can come and be treated for all symptomatic conditions. It is also the first and only hospital in the country that allows the infant to stay with his mother during treatment if inpatient hospitalization is warranted.   To read a very touching story of a mother who greatly benefited from their program, click here.  Anyone who is attempting to bring cutting edge perinatal programs into a community-based facility needs to hear the story of how our nation got its first comprehensive program for women and their infants suffering from perinatal mood disorders.

Take advantage of PSI's Certificate Training in setting up support group services for women suffering from perinatal mood disorders.  Or, take part in advanced clinical training for professionals already serving this population -- this session will provide case presentations and application of efficacious treatment models for affective recovery.

Thomas Hale, RPh, PhD, will tackle the sensitive issue of medication use during breastfeeding.  This topic is always of great interest to mothers, clinicians and healthcare professionals.  Hale is professor of Pediatrics and assistant dean of Research at Texas Tech University School of Medicine and author of the widely-used reference book "Medications and Mothers' Milk".

Lucy Puryear, MD, will present on psychiatric illness during pregnancy.  Renowned in her field of pregnancy-related mood disorders, Dr. Puryear will walk us through the effects on the fetus and how these can be minimized with appropriate care.  Puryear, of Baylor University, is author of "Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting".

Hear from George Parnham, Andrea Yates' defense attorney and tireless advocate for women whose mental status is not appropriately considered when tragedy leads them into the criminal justice system.  He will provide an outline of what recourses women may have in defense.

Valerie Plame Wilson, former CIA agent and author of the bestselling book "Fair Game", will discuss her battles with PPD and how she overcame it.  Wilson will be the keynote speaker at Friday night's banquet.

Anne Dunnewold, PhD, will discuss culture and motherhood, and offer sound advice to counter feelings of guilt that may arise when one is not the "perfect mother".  (Is there any such thing?)  Dunnewold is the author of the recent book "Even June Cleaver Would Forget the Juice Box".

There is much, much more.  Postpartum Support International is the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to eradicating the ignorance around pregnancy-related mood disorders in every community worldwide! It will be a great time to network with other sufferers and healthcare professionals who specialize in treating us.  I hope to see you there!!

IMPORTANT:  Early bird registration ends this Friday, May 16th.   Get your registration in now to save $50.   Online registration is now available.  Hilton's special hotel rate of $119 will end May 16th as well -- trust me, the room rate triples afte the 16th, so hurry!

(Thanks to Deborah Sorenson, Sherry Duson and Susan Stone for helping me put together the highlights of the conference!)

Jenny's Light Foundation Launches New Website

Jenny's Light, the foundation created in memory of the loss of Jennifer Gibbs Bankston and her newborn baby Graham late last year to postpartum depression, has relaunched its website with more resources, including information on suicide support and postpartum support.  The organization will focus on providing postpartum support and education in the states of Alabama, California, Louisiana and Minnesota.   

Postpartum Progress Speaks Out in Full Support of MOTHERS Act

I said I would speak out on the ridiculous campaign being waged through petitions and blogs right now to block passage of the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act ... so here goes (hold on to your hats, folks):

I am truly peeved and disappointed at the breathless, hysterical ranting going on about the MOTHERS Act.  Many of those who oppose it seem to have done LITTLE to NOTHING to inform themselves about the actual bill and the organizations that support it.  Falsehoods are being spread.  Here are some examples:

"A federal bill that is dangerous to mothers and their newborns but being promoted under the guise of ensuring that 'new mothers and their families are educated about postpartum depression, screened for symptoms, and provided with essential services ...'  This is quite simply false ... it will push more mothers onto dangerous antidepressant drugs ..."

"If this bill is passed, any money spent on screening will be a complete waste of tax dollars.  The results will be an INCREASE in the severity and frequency of postpartum depression and an increase in violence and suicide."

"This legislation will ensure that new mothers and their families are also subjected to such treatment as they are screened for symptoms and provided so called 'help' that pushes these new mothers over the edge."

"The bill was originally proposed in response to the death by suicide of Melanie Stokes, a pharmaceutical rep. who took her own life by leaping from a balcony several stories off of the ground. Contrary to popular understanding it was not post-partum depression that killed Melanie, but the numerous antidepressant drugs she was taking ..." 

I'm not sure what algorithm they're using that would indicate that doing more to identify and treat these illnesses would lead to more PPD -- is this the new math they're teaching in schools?  And I have no idea how in good conscience they could spread lies about Melanie Blocker Stokes when her fearless and amazing mother Carol has worked so hard to get legislation like this passed so that other mothers can avoid the pain she has had to endure in losing her daughter. 

Now I know standards dictate that I don't share with you what these people are saying because it somehow gives them a voice.  But I'm blowing up the standards today, because I think my readers need to know exactly what is being said, so that you can be moved to speak up about it and defend the importance of the MOTHERS Act.  (One of the organizations behind this push is CCHR.  CCHR is the Church of Scientology.  Need I say more?)

The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act does NOT recommend drugs or require drugs or endorse drugs.  What is does is the following:

• Encourage the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate and continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find treatments for, postpartum conditions. 
• Encourage a national public awareness campaign to be administered by HHS to increase awareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and psychosis.
• Encourage HHS to make grants available for projects for the establishment, operation and coordination of systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum depression.

There is no nefarious undercurrent, no plot by "the man."  The simple point is to continue to look into the causes of postpartum mood disorders, to let people know they exist and to provide better support services for the women who have them and their families.   Period, the end.  Every woman has the choice to decline participation in a screening, and every woman has the choice to look at all of the various treatment options available to her and choose the best one for her, whether it includes medication, therapy, alternative treatments, support groups or some combination thereof. 

Do I agree that we must be careful to only treat those who are ill?  Of course.  Do I agree that we must be careful in the types of treatments that are used, and must recognize the risks of taking certain treatments as well as the risks of not taking them?  Of course.  But I will not allow fearful conspiracy theorists to derail what is most important, which is getting our country's healthcare system to eliminate the stigma of mental illness, recognize the prevalence of postpartum mood disorders, learn more about their cause, allow new mothers who are suffering to feel safe in getting professional help and identify the best and safest treatments possible.

Please add your thoughts.  Scroll to the bottom of this post and look for the comments link to speak out.  C'mon girls - USE YOUR VOICE.

Here are links to other great comments about the opposition and the importance of supporting the MOTHERS Act.  If I've missed your response, let me know and I'll add it to this list.

• Susan Stone, President of PSI - this is so beautifully written - you MUST read it
• Spin Me I Pulsate
• Buoy for Perinatal Blues & Beyond
• Postpartum Perspective
• Unexpected Blessing/Sharing the Journey
• Depression Introspection

PSI Annual Conference To Be Held in Houston June 4-7

Save the Date!  This year's Postpartum Support International conference will be held in Houston, June 4-7 at the Hilton Americas-Houston.  The event is co-sponsored by the Women's Mental Health Initiative of the Mental Health Association of Greater Houston.  Some of the main speakers include Dr. Margaret Spinelli, Dr. Lucy Puryear, Valerie Plame Wilson and George Parnham.  Registation will begin in March.  I'll be there, and I hope to see you there as well!  For more information, visit www.postpartum.net.

Upcoming PPD Events - Spring '08

A "Depression in the Mother" Conference will be held in West Columbia, South Carolina, at the Brookland Baptist Church from 8:15am to 4pm on Friday, February 29th.  The fee to attend is $30.  The event is hosted by the Midlands Postpartum Coalition, and speakers will include Dr. Meltzer-Brody of the University of North Carolina, Dr. Judy McKay from the University of South Carolina and Dr. Jeffery Newport of Emory University.  CEUs will be available.  For more information, email bhasty@mha-sc.org.

Also, "Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care" will be held April 10 and 11 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.  Hosted by Clarian Health, the event will feature Dr. Laura Miller of the University of Illinois at Chicago and Dr. Jamie Renbarger of Indiana University, as well as fabulous RNs Birdie Meyer and Sara Pollard.  The fee to attend is $150 for one day, $200 for both days. CEUs will be available.  For more information, call 317-962-8078.

There will also be a PPD event in Atlanta on March 28 hosted by Mental Health America of Georgia.  My doctor will be speaking, as will myself and Lauren Hale, who is the Postpartum Support International coordinator for Georgia.  I don't have all the details yet but I will definitely share them when I have them.  So mark your calendars!

Columbia University To Host "Mood Disorders Across the Female Life Cycle"

On Saturday, March 8, Columbia University will host "Mood Disorders Across the Female Life Cycle" led by Dr. Margaret Spinelli.  The event is being held in conjunction with Postpartum Support International, Postpartum Resource Center of New York, and the National Association for Psychosocial OB/GYNs.  It will be held at the Alumni Auditorium in the William Black Medical Research Building at Columbia University Medical Center.  CMEs are available for MDs, PhDs, CSWs, Nurse Practitioners and Nurses.  To register, click here.

UW School of Nursing's Online PPD Training Module Available

Thanks to Helena Bradford for sharing that the University of Washington's School of Nursing has posted its "Keys to Postpartum Depression Online Training Module" online and so it is accessible to all.  Click here for the link.

Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Perinatal Depression Conference To Be Held October 17 in Chicago

The Jennifer Mudd Houghtaling Perinatal Depression Conference will be held in Chicago on October 17 from 7:15am to 4:15pm at the University Club of Chicago.  It is being presented by Mercy Hospital and Medical Center.  The event will help healthcare providers improve identification of patients with perinatal depression, explain current research and methods available for management of patients diagnosed with perinatal depression and describe the steps involved with organizing a comprehensive perinatal depression program.  The target audience for this event includes attending physicians especially in the fields of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Emergency Medicine, APNs, RN/LPNs, social workers and mental health professionals.  Continuing education credits will be available for RNs and physicians. 

Faculty for the conference include Dr. Laura Miller, director of the Women's Mental Health Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Dr. Shaila Misri, director of the Reproductive Mental Health Program at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, Dr. Zachary Stowe, director of the Women's Mental Health Program at Emory University, Dr. Jennifer Payne, assistant professor in the department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University, and Dr. Lisa Rone, assistant professor in the department of Psychistry at Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine, Susan Stone, the president of Postpartum Support International, and Tina Zahn, author of "Why I Jumped: My True Story of Postpartum Depression, Dramatic Rescue and Return to Hope".  For more information, or to register, click here.

And don't forget all of the other upcoming fall conferences (thanks Wendy Davis for the reminder list!):

• Postpartum Support International of Washington on September 21 (http://www.ppmdsupport.com/intro)
• NYU Reproductive Psychiatry Conference on October 6 (https://tools.med.nyu.edu/Cmecourses/index.cfm?fuseaction=courses.DisplayWelcomePage&CFID=189654&CFTOKEN=14963082)
• "Social-Cultural Influences on Maternal Depression in Manitoba, Canada on October 4 and 5 (http://www.womenshealthclinic.org/public/whats_new.html)
• Arizona Postpartum Wellness Coalition and PSI Arizona's Prenatal & Postpartum Mood Disorders: Assessment & Treatment on October 18 & 19 (www.postpartumcouples.com)

PPD Workshop in Athens, GA on Aug. 24

On August 24th, there will be a 3-hour Postpartum Depression Workshop entitled: When Joy Finds Sorrow: Clinical Treatment of Perinatal & Postpartum Depression. J. Kip Matthews, Ph.D. will be presenting. He is a licensed psychologist in the state of GA.

To learn more about the seminar and for registration information, click on the following link:

http://www.akcconline.com/ppd_workshop.html

Registration Opens for NYU Reproductive Psychiatry Conference

The 6th annual NYU Reproductive Psychiatry Conference will be held on Saturday, October 6th, from 8am to 4pm in the Farkas Auditorium of Alumni Hall at the NYU School of Medicine.  The conference will provide information on the latest in research, premenstrual mood disorders, perimenopausal mood disorders, perinatal depression and bipolar disorder and the latest in prenatal diagnostic testing.  It is being sponsored jointly by NYU and the North American Society of Psychosocial Obstetrics & Gynecology, and in cooperation with Postpartum Support International. The target audience is psychiatrists, ob/gyns, pediatricians and other health professionals who care for women.  CMEs are available.  For more information, and to register, go to www.med.nyu.edu/cme.

P.S.  This just in!  Dr. Shari Lusskin tells me that Dr. Manny Alvarez of FOX News will be the keynote speaker. 

NJ Catholic Churches Launch PPD Program

A few weeks ago, the Catholic Church in New Jersey announced a statewide program to educate priests and parishioners about postpartum depression.

The program was unveiled during a news conference in Newark that brought together Archbishop John J. Myers, community health professionals and former victims of postpartum depression.  The program aims to make each of the state's 684 Roman Catholic congregations a source of assistance for women stricken with the illness.  The archdiocese will begin training priests, deacons and lay ministers next month, teaching them about the symptoms, and resources for referring mothers for treatment.  Amen to that!

PSI Offers Free Info Sessions on Wednesdays Via Conference Call!!!!

There is SO MUCH GOING ON!!!!!!!  This is very exciting for those of us who have survived these horrible illnesses.   Postpartum Support International has started to offer free Perinatal Mood Disorder Informational sessions via 800 teleconference line.  This new program began Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at 3pm EST and will continue weekly on Wednesdays, alternating between 3pm in the afternoon and 9pm in the evening EST.  The sessions are limited to the first 15 callers.  They are informational only and will offer participants an opportunity to ask questions and obtain information from PSI healthcare professionals.  They are open to women who feel they may be suffering from a pregnancy related mood disorders, as well as to concerned family members and friends. 

This is a HUGE, free resource for people all over the country.  You will be getting information from people who REALLY know what they are talking about.  I would recommend this to anyone who isn't sure if they have a postpartum mood disorder, who isn't sure if they are getting the right kind of help,  or who isn't sure how to provide the best support for someone they love who is going through this!

Participants must call 1-800-944-8766 five minutes before the call begins.  After the 15th caller joins the call, no other callers may join.  (I think this is a good idea because it lets those who are on the phone get more in-depth information.)  Check the PSI website for dates, times and facilitators. 

PPD Conference in Denver on May 5

The Kempe PPD Intervention Program and Denver's Children's Hospital will host their inaugural annual conference on Saturday, May 5th, at the Children's Hospital Vestal Education Center in Denver.  The fee to attend is $150 and CMEs are available.  Click here for a link to the conference brochure and information on how to register (scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the link).

New PPD Awareness Campaign in Ontario, Canada

The province of Ontario in Canada has launched a new public awareness campaign on postpartum depression.  Here's some info from the Toronto Star:

"A new public awareness campaign launched this month is aimed at bringing the topic of postpartum mood disorders out of the closet to help struggling mothers ... find the support and treatment they need. And to let them know they aren't alone.

One of its slogans: 'Life with a new baby is not always what you expect.'

The campaign, launched by Best Start, an Ontario-government funded resource centre for mothers and young children, includes subway posters, shopping mall ads, television and radio clips, a 12-page brochure with information, strategies and resources for getting help, and a website (lifewithnewbaby.ca). Telehealth Ontario is also a partner, providing phone consultation and links to services and treatment for mothers needing help.

Hiltrud Dawson, health promotion consultant with Best Start, said several tragic deaths of women with postpartum mood disorders and their children over the past few years highlighted the need for more public information.

A survey by Leger Marketing last year showed that 80 percent of Canadians had heard of postpartum mood disorders, which affect one in five women and are treatable and in many cases preventable. But Dawson said there are still many misconceptions about the illness and many spouses and family members don't know what to do or how to seek help.

Campaign resources will help them distinguish the difference between 'baby blues' which affect most mothers but fade in a couple of weeks, and postpartum depression, which doesn't pass and can become debilitating. And it explains postpartum psychosis, a serious disorder that has generated headlines but is very rare, causing mothers to lose touch with reality and think about harming themselves and their babies."

Register NOW! for the PSI Conference

The 21st annual Postpartum Support International Conference is scheduled for June 20-23 in Kansas City.  The conference brochure is now available online at http://www.postpartum.net/kansascity.html and you can register to attend there as well.

The title of the conference is:  "Supporting Families: Fostering Perinatal Emotional Health and Reducing Vulnerability".  I'll be attending and I hope you will too.  It's a very interesting conference to attend, whether you're a practitioner (social worker, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, ob/gyn, RN) or someone who suffered because it helps you get active in the cause and meet other women who've been through it.  I highly recommend the experience, and I'm looking forward to going!

Upcoming PPD Events & Conferences

Indiana: On March 8-9, Clarian Health will host "Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care", PSI's 2-day certificate of completion program.  It will be held in the conference center of Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.  Featured speakers include Christina Hibbert, Birdie Meyer, Sara Pollard and Laura Miller. For more information, call 317-962-8028.

South Carolina:  On March 24, the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation will host the 5th Annual Postpartum Depression 5k Walk/Run in Charleston.  (I went a couple of years ago, and am hoping to go again this year.)  For more info, go to http://www.ppdsupport.org/

West Virginia:  On April 18-19, the Mingo County Partners in Prevention will host a two-day conference on Postpartum Depression at Chief Logan Conference Center.  Free CEUs will be available.  Workshops include Identification, Intervention, Support and Prevention.  For more information, email gfitchpatrick@ablefamilies.org.

Mental Health Ministries Needs Your Donation to Complete PPD Video

Mental Health Ministries is putting together a video resource for postpartum depression.  They have already taped interviews and their production partner, Pacific Media Ministry, is currently editing the tape to be shown on the Hallmark Channel and other cable channels.  They need an additional $1500 to "re-purpose" the material from Pacific Media Minstry so that they can use it as a Mental Health Ministries Resource.  This money would cover editing, graphic design, printing of a discussion guide, replication and other expenses.  You can help by making a donation.  All tax deductible donations are welcome, but donations of $500 or more will be included in the credits so that they can educate churches on how to recognize the signs of PPD and provide appropriate support.

To donate, click here.  Be sure to tell them you heard about it from Postpartum Progress!

Help Important Research by Taking Online Survey

Karen Kleiman is working with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine on a new screening tool for women with postpartum depression/anxiety.  You can help them with their research into the use of this tool by clicking the link below and taking a survey.  You must be over the age of 18 and have a baby under the age of 1.  Your answers will be COMPLETELY anonymous.  I hope you'll help out.  I just took the survey a few minutes ago.

Click here to take survey

One-Day PPMD Workshop in Seattle Coming in March

Heidi Koss-Nobel is offering a one-day PPMD workshop called "Diagnosis and Treatment of Postpartum Mood Disorders" through the Seattle Midwifery School on Monday, March 26th.  The target audience is healthcare providers.  Some CEUs will be available.  Tuition is $125 and space is limited.  To register, please contact the Seattle Midwifery School directly at 1-800-747-9433 or 206-322-8834 or info@seattlemidwifery.org.

New PPD Site Full of Resources for Professionals

There is a cool new website that just came out (thank you Wendy Davis for sending me a heads up!). 

MedEdPPD.org was developed with the support of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to provide education about postpartum depression (PPD).  It has two sections.  The section for professionals has interactive presentations and case studies, expert panel discussions, diagnostic tools, research updates, a comprehensive slide library and more.  For those of you who've emailed me in the past looking for more info about introducing screening into your practices or where to get more training, this is a GREAT site for you.  The events section lists all kinds of conferences for people involved in this field. 

The section for "Mothers and Others" is similar to what you might find on other sites, like PSI, but is still helpful.  You never know what site people might land on, so the more that offer great information on perinatal mood disorders, the better!  Please be sure to check it out.

Postpartum Stress Center Holds Clinician Training

The Postpartum Stress Center in Rosemont, PA, is holding a quarterly training for clinicians in private practice who are interested in specializing in perinatal mood disorders.  The event is March 2-3.  For more information, click here:  http://postpartumstress.com/professional_training.html

Upcoming Events & Conferences

There are some perinatal mood disorder trainings coming up that you may have not heard about yet, so here they are:

El Camino Hospital and PSI International will be hosting "Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders: Assessment and Treatment" in San Jose, California, February 2-3, 2007.  CME/CEUs are available for MDs, RNs, PhDs and CSW/MFTs.  For more info, click here.

Also, the Spectrum Health Perinatal Depression Conference and Certificate of Course Completion will be held February 8-9 in Grand Rapids, MI.  For additional information please contact Amber Kelly at 616-391 1422 or Nancy Roberts at 616-391-1771.

Indman To Host PPMD Seminars in 6 Cities Next Month

Dr. Pec Indman, author of Beyond the Blues and PSI coordinator for Northern California, will be hosting the seminar "Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Assessment and Treatment" in various cities in August.

As described on the website, attendees will learn how to assess and diagnose postpartum depression/anxiety, panic, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and psychosis. The consequences of untreated maternal illness will be reviewed. Specific, researched, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies and psychotherapies will be discussed. Screening for risk factors and mood disorders and current preventive modalities will be reviewed. The participant will gain valuable insight into the many risk factors and symptoms for each of the postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, as well as treatment options.  Note:  Continuing Education credits are available.

Upcoming sessions including the following:

08/02/2006
CHARLESTON, WV

08/03/2006
LEXINGTON, KY

08/04/2006
LOUISVILLE, KY

08/23/2006
CINCINNATI, OH

08/24/2006
DAYTON, OH

08/25/2006
COLUMBUS, OH

To register, click here.

Free Continuing Education Program on Perinatal Depression for Healthcare Providers

The Virginia Department of Health, in cooperation with the University of Virginia, has launched a website to help healthcare providers get more education about perinatal depression (also known as postpartum or postnatal depression).  The new site is www.perinataldepression.org.  Physicians, nurse practitioners, midwives, registered nurses, pharmacists, social workers and others can log on to the site to earn continuing education credit through the UVA School of Medicine by completing the perinatal depression curriculum, which is currently being offered for free. 

I am thrilled to learn through Helena Bradford of this great service provided by the state of Virginia.  I hope many of you will be able to take advantage of it.