Postpartum Progress

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!)

PSI Seeking To Fill Open Board Positions

There are several open positions with the Executive Committee and Board of Postpartum Support International.  These positions are very important to the continued success of PSI and require people with dedication and experience in their respective areas.  Below is a brief explanation of each:

PSI Fundraising Chair -- Chairs the PSI Fundraising Committee.  It shall be the responsibility of the Fundraising Committee to actively seek funding sources for PSI programs and operations through private donations, grant opportunities, and corporate or foundation sponsorship of PSI projects.  It is expected that a minimum of four grant proposals each year will be submitted.  The Committee will reach out to PSI members on an annual basis to request donations and to request information on possible funding/grant sources.

PSI Website Chair -- The PSI Website Chair will head up the PSI Web Committee.  It is the responsibility of this committee to act as the liaison between the webmaster and the Board and other committees, to ensure that necessary changes and postings to the website are accomplished in a timely manner.

PSI Secretary -- The PSI Secretary is responsible for taking and keeping all board meeting minutes.  The Secretary is also responsible for maintaining copies of the Bylaws and policies.

PSI Board Member-At-Large (2 positions) -- People with expertise in non-profit management, mental health, grant writing and/or member recruitment/retention. 

Additionally, each board member is responsible for the following:

• Promote PSI's mission
• Attend and participate in monthly board meetings (most are via toll-free conference call)
• Be familiar with PSI policies, history and current goals
• Read and understand the bylaws
• Attend the annual conference (mandatory)
• Attend the annual board retreat (mandatory)
• Contribute $1000 per year to PSI while serving on the Board (this may be in the form of a direct donation, in-kind donation, or grant or other donation obtained through your efforts)

If you are interested in one of these positions and have the necessary skills and experience, please submit the application below to psioffice@postpartum.net .

Download psiboard_nomination_form1.doc

PPD Support for Spanish-Speaking Families

Postpartum Support International offers Spanish-language support on its toll-free warmline, at 1-800-944-4PPD (press 1 for Spanish).  Andrea Zas Jimenez is the support coordinator for the Spanish Warmline, and Stephanie Morales will be coordinating PSI's national resource list for Spanish-speaking support.  If you know of resources in the U.S. to help Spanish-speaking families, please send it to Stephanie at stephaniemoralesmft@hotmail.com. 

Awards For PPD Advocates Meyer and Goodman

Postpartum Support International (PSI) President-Elect Birdie Meyer has been selected to receive the Association for Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses' Award of Excellence in the area of Advocacy.  Congratulations Birdie for all the hard work you do to support women with postpartum mood disorders!

Also, Janice Goodman has been selected to receive the 2008 Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women's Unsung Heroine award.  Goodman has served as a coordinator for PSI in the state of Massachusetts, and is an assistant professor in Massachusetts General Hospital's Institute of Health Professions' graduate nursing program.

Early Registration Ends May 9 for PSI Conference

Early registration for the Postpartum Support International Annual Conference ends on May 9th.  If you register before then, you get a $50 discount on your total registration fee.  Go to www.postpartum.net/houston to download the PDF of the conference brochure and print out the registration form, which has info on how to fax or mail it in.

Susan Hickman Award Deadline April 15, 2008

Postpartum Support International's Susan Hickman Award promotes the interest of beginning researchers in the conduct of scientific investigation and knowledge development of postpartum mental health and postpartum psychiatric illness.  The award is $500, designated for use in the conduct of such research, as well as an inscribed plaque.  Award applicants must be members of PSI (visit www.postpartum.net to join) and a master's or doctoral candidate, post-doctoral or junior research faculty member with affiliation to an accrediated institution of higher education.  The deadline for submission of applications is April 15, 2008. 

To apply, submit three copies of a 3-5 page summary of the proposal that includes a problem statement, question/hypothesis, conceptual base/literature review, method/design, sample description, instruments/data collection approach and procedures.  Do not put the researcher's name on the three copies.  Provide a cover page with the title of the proposal, author institution, mailing address and phone.  Submit documentation of approval by the designated process for the candidate's academic institution, and document protection of human and animal rights. Application packets should be sent to Merrill Sparago MD, 10850 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 850, Los Angeles, CA, 90024 or sent via email to Dr. Sparago at msparago@mednet.ucla.edu with Susan Hickman Award indicated as the subject.

Sell Your Book at the PSI Conference Bookstore

Postpartum Support International will once again be operating a bookstore at its annual conference in Houston this June, selling books related to the topic of perinatal mood disorders.  If you are a member of PSI and would like to sell your book at the conference, please send the following information as soon as possible to Mary Lou Kravetz at treasurer@postpartum.net :

• Your name
• Mailing address
• Title of publication(s)
• Publisher
• Date of publication(s)
• Number of copies available for sale
• Cost per item

PSI will charge a 20% fee to handle the sales.  Unsold copies must be picked up at the end of the conference and a check will be sent to you within 10 days following the conference.  PSI does not allow members to sell items at the conference except through the bookstore.

P.S.  If you aren't currently a member of PSI, become one now!

Meet Me in Houston for the Annual PSI Conference

Registration is now open for the Postpartum Support International annual conference to be held in Houston at the Hilton Americas June 4-7.  I am including a PDF of the conference brochure below so that you can learn all about the various speakers and sessions.  I love this conference, not only for the updated information I am able to get but also because I get to spend time with my fellow warrior chicks and some amazing healthcare professionals who are dedicated to helping women with perinatal mood disorders.  I hope you'll be able to attend and I'll get to see you all in person!

Download psi_conference_brochure_08.pdf

Please Take Quick Survey on PSI's Chat with the Experts

Postpartum Support International (PSI) offers a weekly, toll-free conference call open to new moms, their family and friends, and healthcare professionals to help answer any questions they may have about postpartum mood disorders.  The service is called "Chat with the Experts".  Participation can be anonymous.  There is no need to register, the sessions are live and free, and the facilitators are licensed mental health professionals who are experts in the field of postpartum mood disorders. 

In order to make sure this service is reaching its intended audience, I need all of you to PLEASE respond to a super quick 10-question survey on this service.  Your feedback is much appreciated.

Click Here to take survey

"From The Hips" Pregnancy Guide Offers Deeper Look at PPD

There is a great new pregnancy guidebook out called "From the Hips: A Comprehensive, Open-Minded, Uncensored, Totally Honest Guide to Pregnancy, Birth & Becoming A Parent," written by Rebecca Odes and Ceridwen Morris.  I think this book rocks and will eventually outsell many of the other books that just cause fear and confusion and frustration for women who are about to become mothers.  (Was anybody else freaked out after reading "What to Expect When You're Expecting," or was it just me?)

My favorite feature? The chapter called "The Postbaby Brain" on pages 188-205.  The authors take an unvarnished look at the feelings moms have about parenthood, both good and bad.  And they actually talk about postpartum mood disorders for 5 pages (!), rather than the usual paragraph or two, even offering a list of symptoms for postpartum depression, postpartum OCD, postpartum panic disorder and postpartum psychosis.  It's nice to see a general interest pregnancy book go into more detail about the variety of symptoms one can experience and recognize that PPD is not a one-size-fits-all illness.  I would have liked them to offer a little more information on how to seek help, but they do provide a list of resources on page 194 that includes Postpartum Support International and Postpartum Progress (wahoo!), among other good sites and books.

Odes and Morris offer ten "anti-rules" for parents-in-progress, which you can learn more about by picking up their book:

1. Everyone's an expert, but you're the authority on yourself and your baby.
2. Confidence is more important than instinct.
3. Strive for imperfection.
4. Parenting is out of control.
5. There's no such thing as a "natural" mother.
6. Shift happens.
7. Babies are people, not problems.
8. Frustration, resentment, anger, exhaustion, exasperation, aggravation, jealousy, nostalgia, regret, etc., don't make you a bad parent.
9. Look forward, not backward. 
10. There is no right way.

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.

SaraBear Baskets Partners with Postpartum Support International

SaraBear Company has partnered with Postpartum Support International (PSI) to offer new mothers, and those who love them, a resource for help. All SaraBear diaper caddies now carry an informational hang tag on their handles bearing a list of the symptoms to identify a postpartum mood disorder as well as directions to the PSI website and helpline.

After the birth of her second child, too exhausted and preoccupied to focus on her own health and what were obvious signs of postpartum depression, Melissa Bramlage, the CEO and founder of SaraBear, suffered alone and needlessly.

"I waited too long to reach out for help. Our focus is to put the PSI website and helpline directly in front of new mothers and fathers," says Melissa. "Knowing that a qualified voice to listen and offer help is just a phone call away can make the difference for a new mother and her family." 

SaraBear Company has built its incredible success upon an unwavering belief that life with babies should be enjoyed to its fullest. Their diaper caddies are designed to make baby-care organization easy. The new PSI informational tags are intended to make joy an attainable thing for all new moms. SaraBear will donate a portion of each sale to PSI.

This is fabulous!!

PSI Launches Members Only Section on Website

The Postpartum Support International (PSI) website has just launched a Members Only section.  This section allows you to locate and network with PSI's other members across the country.  In the directory, members may list links to their own websites, practices, agencies or facilites.  You can also search by name, town or state.  If you are a PSI member, please email psioffice@postpartum.net to get your username and password and instructions on how to log in.

Congrats to PSI staff Devani Stumpf and Chris Armstrong for their work getting this up and running!

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.

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.

I Need Your Help

I am joining the Parade Giving Challenge and would like to ask anyone and everyone out there who sees this blog to click the donation button below and give to Postpartum Support International.  It will only take a couple of minutes and could make a world of difference.  Postpartum Support International does heroic and important work with very little funding. 

If you suffered from postpartum depression then you know how much more education and resources are needed.  Let's make sure future new mothers get the kind of support and help we would have wanted.  Any amount you could donate would go to helping new mothers suffering from postpartum mood disorders.  PLEASE, PLEASE do this.

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.   

 

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!!!

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.

On Wednesday October 24th, BlogHer, Postpartum Support International and Postpartum Progress are joining together to host Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act.  We're asking bloggers from around the country to write about the MOTHERS Act for postpartum depression on the 24th and to encourage their readers to pick up the phone that day, call their Senators and urge them to endorse this critical legislation.  I hope you will join us in this effort, which is part of the overall BlogHers Act 2007-2008 initiative to improve maternal health.

What is the MOTHERS Act?  The Moms Opportunity to Access Help, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression Act, or MOTHERS Act (S. 1375), will ensure that new mothers and their families are educated about postpartum depression, screened for symptoms and provided with essential services.  In addition, it will increase research into the causes, diagnoses and treatments for postpartum depression.  The bill is sponsored by Senators Menendez and Durbin.

Postpartum depression is a serious and disabling condition that affects up to 20 percent of new mothers -- as much as 800,000 American women each year.  Yet only 15 percent of these women will receive any assessment or treatment.  Let me repeat.  With all we know and as smart as we are, only 15% of 800,000 women will get diagnosed and treated.  That is so wrong on so many levels.  Women are not being diagnosed because they're not being educated and they're not being screened.  Untreated, the consequences of maternal mood disorders range from chronic, disabling depression to death.  The impact of untreated maternal depression on infants/children ranges from behavioral and learning disabilities to depression and, in the worst case scenarios, death from infanticide.

Specifically, the MOTHERS Act will help new moms by:

• Providing important education and screening on postpartum depression (PPD) that can lead to early identification and treatment.  The legislation includes two grants to help healthcare providers educate, identify and treat PPD.
• Expanding important research to improve and discover new treatments, diagnostic tools and educational materials for providers.  Since the exact cause of PPD isn't known, research continues to be the key to unlocking the mystery of this condition.

The bill is currently with the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee of the Senate.  If the majority of the HELP Committee members endorse the MOTHERS Act, the bill will move forward for consideration by the Senate.  Without Senate sponsors, the bill could languish in committee and await reintroduction at a future date.  The moms of America can't wait for that.

Most Senators rarely hear from mothers (and others!), and phone calls from you and your readers will cause them to sit up and take notice on a specific issue.  Writing or sending emails has much less impact.  With your support, Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act can truly have a measurable impact.

Here's what to do on October 24th: 

• Grab a Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act button from BlogHer here and display it on your blog now.
• Tell your fellow bloggers about Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act so they can participate too.
• Visit the Postpartum Support International website and click the Welcome Bloggers button at the top to get all the information you need about the bill, how your readers can call their Senators, what to say, etc.
• Publish your post on postpartum depression and the MOTHERS Act on Wednesday, October 24th and don't forget to tag your post with: Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act, BlogHers Act, BlogHer, Postpartum Progress, Postpartum Support International, postpartum depression
• MAKE THOSE CALLS!!
• Once you've blogged, be sure to go back to the BlogHer page and leave your URL so others can link to you.
• I also welcome you to visit me at Postpartum Progress and leave a link to your blog or a message to my readers, most of whom are sufferers and the people who care for them.  If you have a question, email me at stonecallis@msn.com.

By the way, if you're not a blogger, I still encourage you to participate by calling and asking those around you to call their Senators to galvanize support for passage of the MOTHERS Act.  The more calls the better!!!

Postpartum mood disorders are a disease of motherhood -- they can affect any woman who becomes a mother, regardless of who she is.  If we don't do something to better educate and treat the mothers who may suffer, we are doing a disservice to all mothers, children and families everywhere.  All it takes is a phone call to let the Senate know that the women of America want the MOTHERS Act to pass.    

PSI Annual Fundraiser October 20 in New Jersey

Postpartum Support International will hold its annual fundraiser on October 20, 2007 -- the day that has been designated as Postpartum Depression Awareness Day in the state of New Jersey.  The event will be held in North Caldwell, New Jersey, at the Greenbrook Country Club.  For the second year, it is being sponsored by author Sylvia Lasalandra and her husband, Michael Frodella.  The evening will feature wine and food tasting tables and a silent auction to benefit the world's largest nonprofit organization devoted to the eradication of postpartum depression worldwide. 

Three honorees will be recognized for their outstanding contributions and support of maternal/child health: 

1. U.S. Senator Robert Menendez is being honored for his tireless advocacy and sponsorship of The MOTHERS Act, federal legislation that is gaining momentum and is expected to pass the Senate this year.  This act will ensure that every women nationwide will be given an assessment for postpartum depression prior to leaving the hospital and will provide funding for treatment, research and education.
2. Brooke Shields, a former New Jersey resident and Princeton graduate, is being honored as a long-time advocate of education and protections for new mothers.  Brooke recently lent her star power to the promotion of federal legislation by participating in a Mother's Day Senate press conference on the MOTHERS Act.
3. Donna A. Sanzari of Hohokus, New Jersey, who is being honored because her generosity and concern for women's issues led to the formation of the Donna A. Sanzari Women's Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center.  The facility regularly hosts women's conferences and health-related events, and its services include antenatal and postnatal programs.

Last year's event resulted in funding for a new program called "Open Forum Sessions for Moms", in which mothers or concerned family members can call PSI's toll-free bridge line on Wednesdays to participate in live information sessions about postpartum depression and related illnesses with mental health experts.

Tickets for the October event are $150 per person, a portion of which is tax deductible.  Opportunities for tax-deductible donations/silent auction items or event sponsorship are also available.  Please email vino1020@aol.com for further information or to purchase tickets.  Or, to hold a place, send your check to PSI Fundraiser, 24 West Railroad Avenue, PMB 183, Tenafly, NJ, 07670.

Postpartum Progress on Yahoo! Wahoo!

I'm very excited to share with you a post that appeared on Yahoo! last week, written by Dory Devlin, about Postpartum Progress.  Each one of you really makes this blog what it is and I thank you for your presence and your readership!!  Check out the link here ...

P.S.  The story links to the Postpartum Support International website as well!

Need Help? PSI Offers Free and Anonymous PPD Info Sessions Via Phone

If you have questions about PPD, either because you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, or want to know more as a provider, there is a wonderful free service offered by Postpartum Support International.  You can talk with a PPD expert about resources, symptoms, options and general information about perinatal mood disorders from the privacy of your own home, thanks to toll-free informational sessions.   You won't need to pre-register or even give your name, if it's important to you to remain anonymous. 

These sessions are held on Wednesdays at either 3pm or 9pm EST.  They are limited to the first 15 callers.  For the call schedule and access codes you'll need to participate, visit www.postpartum.net or call 1-800-944-4773.  And if you do call, let them know you heard about it on Postpartum Progress!!

Ladies, Send Me Your Blog & Website Addresses So I Can Link To You

I am going to create a new page in Postpartum Progress that links to women who have blogs or websites that are either specifically about postpartum depression, or have included stories about experiencing postpartum depression.  If you have one of those blogs or sites, please email me at stonecallis@msn.com.  Tell me about your blog or website, and give me your URL web address.  Thanks!  I look forward to linking with you!

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. 

Barnes to Appear on CBS Monday June 11

Wendy Davis of PSI gave me a heads up that PSI's past president Diana Lynn Barnes will be interviewed on the CBS Early show on June 11.  She will be discussing her new book, "The Journey to Parenthood: Myths, Reality and What Really Matters."  CBS has a good history of positively covering the issue of postpartum mood disorders and the need for more research and treatment.

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. 

Postpartum Progress Beacon of Hope: Wendy Davis

I would like to announce our Postpartum Progress Beacon of Hope for May and June (drumroll please): Wendy Davis.  She is as deserving as one could possibly be to be recognized for all her many contributions to the women who suffer perinatal mood disorders.  In addition to maintaining a private practice as a therapist, she has been deeply, deeply involved as a volunteer for many years.  Wendy writes:

"I got a crash course in postpartum mood disorders when I fell into one after the birth of our first child in 1994.  I had no idea there was a name for what I was experiencing; the names I gave it at the time were 'failure' and 'mistake'.  I thought I had just found out that I never should have been a mother.  I couldn't believe that any good mother would feel such crushing dread and hopelessness.  I was sinking fast and isolating myself.  A dear friend convinced me to call a postpartum doula and after much resistance, I called her.  She listened to my quiet request for help with the dishes, and asked me the question that saved my life:  'Have you been depressed or anxious?'  It was enough to open the floodgates and I felt that I was confessing to her.  She came over the next day and sat with me for hours while I cried, leaving me with some excellent articles about PPD and recovery and a promise that she would be back the next day.

"As soon as I understood that I had postpartum depression and anxiety, I was astonished that I had never learned of it.  I had already been a therapist for 14 years and I had never had a class or workshop on the subject.  At first I was angry.  Then I got busy.  I was compelled to learn all I could and to talk to anyone who would listen about postpartum suffering and recovery.  My own experience led me to develop a mom-to-mom support network here in Portland, Oregon, called Baby Blues Connection.  It has been going strong for 12 years now and I am so grateful and proud of having been part of this resource.  I continue to serve as their clinical consultant and coordinate the volunteer training team.

"I also became a member of PSI, and then a support c