I've been so caught up in the fire coverage over the last few days that I forgot that today was Blog Day for Mothers Act - which is part of the overall BlogHers Act 2007-2008 initiative to improve maternal health.
The issue is PostPartum Depression, and a bill in the Senate that would address the needs of the estimated 800,000 American women per year who suffer from it. Sadly, only 15% of these women ever receive the treatment they need, which can lead to tragic results (suicide or infanticide in the most extreme cases -- months of debilitating depression in others).
And it's so avoidable -- if only enough new mothers were educated so they could see the warning signs; if only they were routinely screened.
This is a subject that strikes close to home. I have family members who have had to deal with PPD. It's so hard for everyone involved: the new mother and her family and friends, who all feel helpless to deal with the condition. Some people eventually "snap out of it" -- others need the help of counseling and medication.
The Moms Opportunity to Access Help, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression Act, or MOTHERS Act (S. 3529), 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.
PLEASE take a moment today to call your Senators and urge them to support S.3529. A complete list of US Senators and their phone numbers can be found at PostPartum Support International. And if you are a blogger, spread the word. Write a post and tag it Blog Day for the MOTHERS Act, BlogHer, BlogHers Act, postpartum depression, Postpartum Progress, Postpartum Support International. Pick up a nifty BlogHers Act button here, so everyone knows you support this vital bill. While you're there, leave the URL of your post -- then visit event co-sponsor Katherine Stone at PostPartum Progress and leave her the same information.
It may seem like a small thing, but small things gather force in numbers. Together, we can do something positive for women's health in our country.
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