Postpartum Progress

Activistas Support MOTHERS Act

Thank you Activistas in Oregon for writing about the online petition supporting the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act for postpartum depression!

This is also a good post and interesting discussion of meds vs. no meds from The World As Reesie Sees It. 

Op-Ed Letter on MOTHERS Act in Chicago Tribune

Here's a letter from the Op-Ed section of the Chicago Tribune on the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act for postpartum depression -- Way to go Nichole Strauel!!  If you support the MOTHERS Act, you might try and submit your own letter to your local newspaper's Opinion-Editorial section.

P.S.  Speaking of the MOTHERS Act, click hear to listen to Susan Dowd Stone, president of PSI, discussing the MOTHERS Act on Empowher.com. 

Online Petition Keeps Spreading for MOTHERS Act

We're up to 13,000 signers now for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance's online petition supporting the Melanie Blocker Stokes Mothers Act for postpartum depression.  Here are some more bloggers who have supported the cause, and believe in more funding for research into the causes and treatments of PPD ...

• Not That I Don't Love My Kids
• Fertility Stories
• Coping With Life
• Scobberlotch

Here's my question ... where the heck is everybody else?  How many millions of you out there have suffered depression and know how horrible it is?  How many of you wish there was more clarity around these illnesses?  Please join us in supporting the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act.

More Bloggers Speak Up for MOTHERS Act Petition

Thanks to Ask Moxie for writing about the online petition for the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act!  And to Wavybrains.com for supporting the MOTHERS Act!

Keep signing -- http://www.congress.org/ndmda/issues/alert/?alertid=11246546!

PPD Warrior Chicks Rock!

Postpartum Depression Warrior Chicks (and the supportive "roosters" out there), you rock!  The Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance's online petition to support the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act has now reached nearly 12,000 signatures in a week and a half.  I'm so excited for you and all of the other concerned people around the country who are taking action to show they care for new mothers.

Do we need more signatures?  ABSOLUTELY!!  Those U.S. Senators need to hear completely loud and clear that we believe the women of America deserve more research into the cause of postpartum mood disorders, better trained healthcare providers and greater awareness to reduce the stigma.  Keep pressing on your friends, and loved ones, and church members, and neighbors, and pets with opposable thumbs to sign, sign, SIGN!  Let's get 100,000 signatures -- don't forget, 800,000 women in America suffer from postpartum mood disorders each year. 

Here is the link again to the DBSA online petition, which is supported fully by Postpartum Support International (and Postpartum Progress, of course!): http://www.capwiz.com/ndmda/issues/alert/?alertid=11246546

We especially need to hear from people in the following states:  Massachusetts, North Carolina, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee, Colorado, Mississippi, Utah, Connecticut, Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, West Virginia, Kansas, Delaware, Hawaii, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Idaho, DC, Alabama, South Dakota, Montana, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Wyoming.  If you know people who live there, give them a shout out and see how they feel about the MOTHERS Act.  Bloggers in those areas, please help us out.  I hope more people from those states will be able to join us in supporting this bill, which is about taking positive action against a devastating illness.  I've got a Mississippi family contingent that I'm going to start calling as soon as I'm done with this post!! 

Supporting Mothers Everywhere

Have you signed the petition yet?

http://capwiz.com/ndmda/issues/alert/?alertid=11246546

Here are some other women who are speaking up in support of the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act:

• Mental Health Notes
• Healthy Concerns
• Out of the Valley
• Postpartum Perspective
• Giggles and Gulps
• Dig Your Toes In

MOTHERS Act Losing Momentum -- Online Petition Needs Your Signature

It's time to talk about the Melanie Blocker Stokes (MBS) MOTHERS Act again.  I know, I know.  We've heard this all before, you're thinking.  I already called my Senator, you're thinking.  I already wrote about this on my blog, you're thinking.  Sheesh!, you may even be thinking.  Well, apparently everything you and I have done so far in support of this bill hasn't been enough. 

As you may know, there are some people who are completely convinced that the MBS MOTHERS Act is a conspiratorial plot by the government to drug pregnant and postpartum women, and it must be STOPPED AT ALL COSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You and I know that's not true.  So we've kind of ignored the negative campaign -- been slightly pissed and sometimes even truly annoyed but gone on with our day because it's silly and we have lots of more important things to worry about than some misguided folks.  But the U.S. Senate can't ignore it when lots and lots and lots of people speak out.  That's how they work, right?  Polls.  When they hear from lots of people on a certain issue, they tend to go in that direction.  Right now our Senators are hearing from a whole host of people who think it's a really bad idea to pass this bill -- a bill that provides funding for increased research into the cause and treatments of postpartum mood disorders, provides better training for healthcare providers and provides for an awareness campaign so that more women will know about these illnesses and realize that they can get help. Those people, bless their hearts, are very vocal and have every right to say what they think. (Tom Cruise must be very pleased.) 

Conversely, those who believe in the MBS MOTHERS Act are not being anywhere near vocal enough. Our Senators are NOT HEARING from enough of those of us who support it.  If this trend continues, this bill will not pass.  What happened to us, and to hundreds of thousands like us, and to our friends and sisters and mothers and girlfriends will keep happening.  Women will continue to think they've gone crazy, never to return to their old selves.  They will continue to live in fear of speaking up and telling someone about it.  They will continue to be afraid to lose their children.  They will continue to suffer, hurting both their health and the health of their children, because they won't get treatment.  Some might even kill themselves, or become so ill they harm their children.  That is unacceptable to me.  Is it acceptable to you?  I started this blog because I was damn well not going to let anybody go through the isolation and terror and ineffective treatment from an untrained doctor that I received.  Don't you feel the same? 

Postpartum Progress readers, and anyone who cares about postpartum mood disorders, I very humbly beg you to complete two very easy assignments:

1.  Click this link and sign this petition to support passage of the MBS MOTHERS Act.  It is as easy as pie.  Thanks to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance for getting the petition going.  All you have to do is fill out your name and address and click send, and it will be sent all the proper places.   The petition is also supported by Postpartum Support International.

2.  Forward the petition link to everyone you know and tell them to sign their name to it as well.

We need thousands of people to do this.  Not just a few hundred.  Seriously, thousands.  Please get clicking. And if you have a website, or an organization of proactive women and moms, or a blog, please get your readers/members involved ASAP.

P.S.  In case you're wondering, here is a list of the respected organizations that endorse the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act:

• Postpartum Support International
• Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Children's Defense Fund
• March of Dimes
• American College of Nurse Midwives
• Suicide Prevention Action Network USA
• Mental Health America
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• National Women's Law Center
• National Partnership for Women & Families
• National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
• Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
• American Psychological Association
• American Psychiatric Association
• Postpartum Resource Center of New York

If you would like to add your organization to this illustrious list, please let me know at stonecallis@msn.com.  (They can't all be part of the conspiracy to drug America's moms, can they???)
 

Depression Introspection: Another Blog Supports MOTHERS Act

Here's a great link to the depression introspection blog, where Marissa writes a response to the misleading web campaign against the MOTHERS Act.  Depression Introspection is one of Postpartum Progress'  colleagues on the list of the web's top 10 depression blogs by Psych Central. 

Postpartum Perspective & Unexpected Blessing Blog On MOTHERS Act

Here's a great post on the new blog Postpartum Perspective about the MOTHERS Act opposition.  Check it out! One highlight:

"We have ended up debating whether or not postpartum mental health problems should be treated with medication, whether breastfeeding while taking meds is good or bad, whether health care providers should be more or less intrusive in mother's women's lives. Why aren't we debating about whether or not the fact that women are dying due to lack of support is a problem?"

And another great piece on Unexpected Blessing from Lauren Hale, as she openly shares what she went through and why the MOTHERS Act is so crucial.  A highlight:

"I believe in this bill because I have lived through the very depths of the condition it is fighting to uncover and remove the stigma of so that the next mother who suffers will not have to suffer in silence, will not have to go to her doctor and be rejected and told to “suck it up” and that this is a normal part of motherhood, something that she should get over, something that shouldn’t be happening because she is more than 6wks postpartum and therefore all her hormones should be back to normal by now."

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 Responds to False Rumors About MOTHERS Act

Stories have been circulating on the web and elsewhere disseminating falsehoods about the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act.  Postpartum Support International has shared a response to those falsehoods that is very important for everyone to read.  I'll offer my response separately.

It has come to the attention of PSI that misinformation about the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act and its lead sponsor, Postpartum Support International (PSI), is being aggressively circulated on the web.  This bulletin suggests protest against the bill's adoption on false belief, and implies that PSI's interest in the legislation emanates from its funding by pharmaceutical companies.  These assertions indicate the bulletin's authors have neither read nor understood the legislation nor sought verification of PSI's funding sources, which are available to the public.  The following is true:

1.  PSI is not, nor has it ever been, funded by pharmaceuticals.  Our funding comes from private donations, memberships and our own fundraising efforts.  It appears our fine organization was mischaracterized without any attempt to verify this false assertion.

2.  The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act does not mandate screening, the use of medications, or any other form of involuntary or coercive engagement in unwanted services for perinatal mood disorders.

3.  Melanie Blocker Stokes leapt to her death as a result of postpartum psychosis which was not promptly diagnosed and treated.  Her mother, Carol Blocker, has devoted her life to the passage of this protective legislation named for her daughter.  Her death was not the result of medication misuse.

4.  To further clarify and summarize, the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act encourages the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to coordinate and continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find treatments for, postpartum conditions.  It also encourages a national public awareness campaign, to be administered by HHS to increase awareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and psychosis.  It encourages 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.

It is most unfortunate that any organization would attempt to dissuade public support of critical legislation by circulating erroneous information about the bill's contents and intent.  Please call or visit PSI's website to read the legislation or submit any questions.

Clinton Signs on as Co-Sponsor of MOTHERS Act

I am happy to say that Senator Hillary Clinton has finally signed on to endorse the MOTHERS Act.  She joins Senator Barack Obama, who is also a co-sponsor. 

The markup of the bill, which was supposed to happen on Feb. 14th, was delayed and will now happen this Wed. the 27th. 

Ask the Senate To Send A Valentine to Moms This Thursday

FEBRUARY 14, at 10am, the Senate's HELP committee will mark up the new Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act Bill ...

Let's ask the HELP committee to send a Valentine to America's mothers by finishing up the bill and sending it to the Senate floor for a final vote. 

Given that it has been a long time since I've been in the 8th grade and focused on U.S. Civics, I will refresh both you and myself with an explanation of "mark-up" from C-SPAN:

A Mark-Up refers to the meeting of a Committee held to review the text of a bill before reporting it out. Committee members offer and vote on proposed changes to the bill's language, known as amendments. Most mark-ups end with a vote to send the new version of the bill to the floor for final approval.

And that's what we want -- the bill to go to a final vote and get passed.  The HELP committee is responsible for all proposed legislation on measures relating to education, labor, health and public welfare.  It is made up of some very powerful Democratic and Republican Senators.

So it's time for some ACTION.  Please pick up the phone AGAIN and call the HELP committee.  Ask them to send a Valentine to America's moms by supporting the MOTHERS Act (S 1375).  I know you already called because you're awesome and helpful and care very much about this, but I need you to CALL AGAIN.  Tell the following Senators you support this bill:

Democrats by Rank

• Edward Kennedy (MA) - 202-224-4543
• Christopher Dodd (CT) - a co-sponsor of the bill ; 202-224-2823
• Tom Harkin (IA) - 202-224-3254
• Barbara Mikulski (MD) - 202-224-4654
• Jeff Bingaman (NM) 202-224-5521
• Patty Murray (WA) 202-224-2621
• Jack Reed (RI) 202-224-4642
• Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY) - 202-224-4451
• Barack Obama (IL) - a co-sponsor of the bill; 202-224-2854
• Bernard Sanders (VT) - a co-sponsor of the bill; 202-224-5141
• Sherrod Brown (OH) - a co-sponsor of the bill; 202-224-2315

Republicans by Rank

• Michael Enzi (WY) - chairman of the HELP committee; 202-224-3424
• Judd Gregg (NH) 202-224-3324
• Lamar Alexander (TN) 202-224-4944
• Richard Burr (NC) 202-224-3154
• Johnny Isakson (GA) - 202-224-3643
• Lisa Murkowski (AK) 202-224-6665
• Orrin Hatch (UT) - 202-224-5251
• Pat Roberts (KS) - 202-224-4774
• Wayne Allard (CO) 202-224-5941
• Tom Coburn (OK) 202-224-5754

If lines are busy or it's difficult to call during business hours, here is the email address of the committee: help_comments@help.senate.gov. While this doesn't replace the more impactful direct calling, it's an alternative.  Also, anyone who would like to attend can watch and listen to the proceedings Thursday -- the meeting will be held in Dirksen 430.

AMA Newspaper Focuses on Barriers to Caring for PPD Moms

American Medical News, the newspaper of the American Medical Association has just published a great story on postpartum mood disorders called "Beyond the Baby Blues: A Spectrum of Postdelivery Conditions."  It features myself and a host of fabulous doctors, including Dr. Marlene Freeman, Dr. Shoshanna Bennett and Dr. Katherine Wisner among others.  It covers barriers to care by physicians, which is extremely important given that we're trying to get a bill passed in the Senate asking for more education and training of doctors, among other things.  Here is my favorite quote from the article:

"This is a disease that lives between specialties [obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry, pediatrics]," Dr. Wisner added. "Patients are running around in circles."

Exactly.

Menendez & Rush Say MOTHERS Act Legislation Nearly Complete

This week, the offices of Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) announced they are finalizing the new federal postpartum depression legislation for its anticipated victory in the U.S. Congress.  The legislation, which was called the MOTHERS Act, has been slightly renamed as the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act.  This is in order to honor the mother whose name served as the title of the House bill that passed this fall.  Melanie was a beautiful and successful new mother who committed suicide in 2001 while suffering from postpartum depression. 

Many bloggers took part in a big legislative push this October by participating in Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act, hosted by BlogHer, Postpartum Support International and my blog Postpartum Progress.  I believe the action many of you took through your blogs and your phone calls to speak out about the need for more education and better treatment had a huge influence on legislators moving forward so quickly.  I hope we will continue to make our voices heard as we get closer to bill passage.  It is expected that the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act may be passed in early spring or possibly sooner once America's legislative bodies reconvene.  It appears that Democratic support is substantial, but some Republicans still need convincing.  Postpartum Support International president Susan Stone has been informed that she and others will be contacted when the timing is right for renewed advocacy supportive of the bill's passage.

As many of you know, the 2007-2008 BlogHers Act has been focused on harnessing the power of women online and their blogs to address maternal health.  This issue includes postpartum depression and related mood disorders, which can have a devastating effect on new mothers and their families.   

 

Obama Signs On As Co-Sponsor of MOTHERS Act

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has signed on as a co-sponsor of the MOTHERS Act.  Thank you Senator Obama!!   

Today is Blog for the MOTHERS Act Day!!

Today is Blog for the MOTHERS Act Day, sponsored by Postpartum Progress, BlogHer and Postpartum Support International!  Ladies, please get blogging!!  Your actions today will make a difference in the lives of all the new mothers created each and every day in America. (Update:  Please tell your readers to keep calling if the lines are busy!! Don't give up!!)

The truth is that our country is more than capable of treating more women more quickly and more effectively when it comes to postpartum mood disorders.  We can do it.  We just don't.  All it takes is will.  A willingness among healthcare providers to further educate themselves and to screen for these illnesses.  A willingness among insurers to help cover costs.  A willingness among all those involved with childbirth education to lay out the truth.

I have the will to tell you what happened to me.  I know hundreds of women who have the will to bare their souls and tell strangers about their most horrifying thoughts and their weakest moments ... who have the will to stand there and take the closed-mindedness and judgments that come from some in order to help someone avoid going through what they went through.  I know mothers like Joan Mudd and Carol Blocker and Helena Bradford who have the will to relive the deaths of their beautiful daughters over and over again just so that they can educate people about postpartum mood disorders. 

I humbly ask you to have the will, today, to write about the MOTHERS Act for postpartum depression, and to call your Senators, and I am asking the United States Senate to find the will to help all of the new mothers created each and every day in America.

For more information on exactly how to participate today, click here and here.  Here is a link to everyone who has posted so far (if I've missed you, shoot me an email):

• Coping With Life
• So Sioux Me
• Dawn's Recipes
• Momsquawk
• Beyond Blue
• The Well Mom
• Flamingo House Happenings
• Parentopia
• Unexpected Blessing
• The Silent I
• Binary Blonde
• The Chronicles of Munchkin Land
• BlogHer
• The Maha Blog
• Pundit Mom
• Fertility Stories
• Kari's Couch
• Stella Family Update
• Ask Moxie
• Long Noodle
• You Shall Above All
• Been There
• Empty Wound Hopeful Heart
• Go-Go Mommy
• We All Fall Down
• DC Metro Moms Blog
• The Hatfields
• Adoptionblogs.com: Birth-First Parent Blog
• 5 Resolutions
• Viva La Feminista
• Chicago Moms Blog
• The Gus Stop
• Spin Me I Pulsate
• Welcome to My Brain
• Maternally Challenged
• Earth Change
• Postpartum Mental Illness Yahoo! Group
• SoCal Mom
• My Life With Mr. Rogers
• All of My Days
• Life Outside the Box
• The Integrated Mother
• The Mummy Chronicles
• Shelly Says
• Boogiemum
• Mom of 3 Girls
• Life After Baby
• Healthy Concerns
• Pop Consumer
• Ruta Nonacs: A Deeper Shade of Blue
• Surfette
• Growing A Life
• Central Sanity
• ShortWoman
• Women 4 Hope
• The Dana Files
• Center for Women's Mental Health Blog
• martinimade
• This Full House
• Motherscribe
• Don't Try This At Home
• Not Calm (dot com)
• Boston Mamas
• The Modern Woman's Divorce Guide
• Work It, Mom!
• PPD Survivor
• The Fish Pond
• Sofia's Diary
• The Online PPD Support Group
• Ask Dr. Manny (FOX)
• Amazing Instant
• Surrender, Dorothy
• Silicon Valley Moms Blog
• Sarah and the Goon Squad!
• Strollerderby
• Is America Burning
• Moms Speak Up
• Babylune
• Strollerderby: Armchair Activism
• The Postpartum Stress Center
• MamasInk
• Marriage, Stillbirth & Infant Loss Blog Directory
• Tough Like A Creampuff
• http://fasttimes.clubmom.com/fast_times/2007/10/blog-day-for-th.html
• Vevz
• My Om Page
• Mountain Momma
• My Scrapbook Life
• The Political Voices of Women
• Disguised Blessings
• The Toddler Reality Show
• The Huffington Post
• Roc Rebel Granny
• Renton Kidspot
• MacEwan
• O for Obsessive
• Pretty Babies
• Odd Time Signatures
• Mom's Tinfoil Hat
• A Girl's Gotta Spa
• Claire Bear
• Not That I Don't Love My Kids
• Silicon Valley Moms Blog: Beth B
• Silicon Valley Moms Blog: Mommaof1
• Skeet's Stuff
• ifferjen's blog
• Tumble Dry
• Coping With Life (follow up story)
• A Mile in My Berks
• Nickie's Nook
• Do the Yak
• Mrs. Flinger
• Club Mom: Mom's Daily Dose
• Amerimama
• Deep Muck Big Rake
• Blondie At the Bar
• Screamy Thing
• VDog and Little Man
• A Piece of My Mind
• hip Mama
• LaurieWrites
• The Happy Geek
• Wendy's Thoughts About Anything and Everything
• The Daily Court
• Missives from Suburbia
• Trenches of Mommyhood
• Daring Young Mom
• Kovixen
• I Hate Snaps
• Minivan Bohemian
• A Daughter's Touch
• Managing Life Transitions

Melanie Blocker Stokes Act Passes in U.S. House!!

On Monday, October 15th at 4:15pm, perinatal mental health history was made as H.R. 20, the Melanie Blocker Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act, was passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 382 to 3!!  "What a thrill it was to watch from the Congressional Gallery as Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) made his final, victorious push for American, children and families," said Susan Stone, president of Postpartum Support International.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to Congressman Bobby L. Rush, Carol Blocker (who lost her daughter Melanie to this terrible illness), Susan Stone and Postpartum Support International, and all the other people who have toiled for years to get this passed. 

This is huge.  Now we just have to get the MOTHERS Act passed and we'll be IN BUSINESS!  Money for research!  Screening for new moms!  Training for healthcare providers!  Wahoo!  Get your telephones ready on October 24th to make those calls to Senators!!!

Not A Blogger? How To Participate on October 24th to Help Pass The MOTHERS Act

I have heard from many concerned women, mothers, family and friends who want to see the MOTHERS Act passed in the Senate but are not bloggers, and thus are not sure how they can help on October 24th for "Blog for the MOTHERS Act" Day. 

Please know that you DO NOT have to be a blogger to participate in Blog for the MOTHERS Act Day.  What is most important is that as many people as possible call their Senators on October 24 to urge them to support the MOTHERS Act.  Put together an email list of EVERYONE you know.  Go to www.postpartum.net and click on the "welcome bloggers" button at the top to go to the page that gives instructions on how to call your senator and what to say.  Copy those instructions and paste them into your email or text message or fax or WHATEVER! to everyone you know and tell them that you are personally asking them to participate on October 24th.  Tell them it only takes a minute or two to pick up the phone and make the call.  It's easy.

Please believe me that all of the offline participants in this day will have just as much impact as the online ones!!!!  We NEED your participation!!

Help Mothers Everywhere: Join Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act on October 24th

(crossposted at BlogHer and Postpartum Progress)

A beautiful young mother of two has been missing in Rhode Island now for more than a month.

Her name is Katie Corcoran and she is suffering from postpartum psychosis.  She was supposed to be released from the hospital to her family, but on September 5th, in some kind of mix-up, she was sent off in a taxi instead.  Her husband, small children, family and friends haven't seen or heard from her since.  This week, a friend of the family emailed me the following letter from Katie's mother, Nancy, to publish on my blog Postpartum Progress:

Katie,

This is your mom - please call home.  I want to know if you are safe.  I think about you all the time.  I worry about you.  I want to take care of you - with love and understanding.  You have always been my pride and joy.

Please.  Please call.

This story and so many others like it fill me with deep sadness and regret.  Women who commit suicide.  Women, like my mother, who don't know what's wrong with them, don't get treated and become alcoholics to escape the pain.  Women who reach out for help but are ignored or stigmatized and feel that hurt for the rest of their lives.  I regret that in this day and age we still don't know enough about dealing with postpartum mood disorders that something like Katie's disappearance could happen.  She is out there somewhere, hopefully alive, most likely delusional and alone.  And it's not her fault.  Before this she was a perfectly normal person.  She just happened to draw the short straw for postpartum mood disorders, and now she's lost. 

You and I can do something about this.  Maybe we can't just drop everything, go off in a plane to parts unknown with a picture of Katie in hand and search for her, but we CAN do something ... for Katie and for all the other mothers past and present and future who have suffered or will suffer from these illnesses.