Postpartum Depression: The Melanie Stokes Mother’s Act
From the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance:
REVISED ALERT: Postpartum Depression - Time is Short!
Alicia here is the REVISED Advocacy Alert:
WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW!
Click here to send a letter!Committee scheduled to vote on this legislation at the end of this month!
Last year Senator Dick Durbin, co-sponsored vital mental health legislation to address postpartum depression, the Melanie Stokes Mother’s Act (S.1375).
At the end of this month (Jan.), this much needed legislation will go to a Senate committee for a vote. Often bills have to be passed by committees before they can go to the full chamber (Senate or House) for a vote.
This legislation, ensuring that new mothers and their families are educated about postpartum depression, screened for symptoms and provided with essential services, has already been passed the House by an overwhelming 382-3 vote. The House bill, (H.R. 20), also was sponsored by a legislator from Illinois, Congressman Bobby Rush.
Now we need it to pass in the Senate. And, the only way this will happen is if we all contact the Senate Health, Education. Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP).
If the bill does NOT pass in committee, it cannot go to the full Senate for a vote. With the recent momentum, there is real hope that this legislation could be a major mental health achievement of the current Congress. However, nothing should be taken for granted.
We don’t have much time! Contact your Senator(s) right away. If one or both of them sit on the Committee, DBSA’s Legislative Action Center will supply a letter urging them to vote for the MOTHERS Act in the Committee.
If one or both of your Senators do not sit on the Committee, you can send a letter urging them to ask their colleagues on that Committee to support this vital legislation.
Please, won’t you send a letter now? It’s quick and easy. Simply go to the following link:
http://capwiz.com/ndmda/issues/alert/?alertid=9908196One person can make a difference!
Lots of bolding and exclamation points, but, the DBSA is a passionate bunch. So, get your tails over there and send a letter.
POSTED IN: Current Affairs & News, Government & Politics, Postpartum Depression, Resources, Sites of Interest, Updates, Women
5 opinions for Postpartum Depression: The Melanie Stokes Mother’s Act
Katherine Stone
Jan 29, 2008 at 7:54 am
My understanding is that they have taken the screening element out of the legislation, which was the most important piece. Very frustrating.
Alicia Sparks, NAMI Affiliation Leader
Jan 29, 2008 at 12:37 pm
If so, that’s very frustrating indeed. Postpartum depression isn’t something I’ve had to worry about thus far in my life, though I have many friends who are mothers and I’m always “on the lookout,” so to speak, when a new baby comes along. Even before that time, however, the whole Tom Cruise controversy is what initially got me fired up about postpartum depression, awareness, treatment, etc. So, I like to take action whenever I can.
Great blog by the way, Katherine!
Traci
Feb 1, 2008 at 11:48 am
As a mother currently suffering from PPD, it is extremely important to me that education in the hospital be addressed. My husband and I had an emergency C-section, I’m over 35 at delivery, ec. “Prime candidate” for PPD, and nobody said a word to us about what to look for. I thought it was normal baby blues - until I almost got fired from job because I wasn’t really working…just sitting there much of the time, crying. We have to get this pushed through, and the screening is critical. Otherwise, how do we know the how to assess to risk level of the mother? DUH!
Alicia Sparks, NAMI Affiliation Leader
Feb 1, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Oh my, Traci, I can’t believe that you weren’t even, at the very least, warned or “briefed” on PPD! Well, yes I can believe, but you know what I mean - I’m shocked. And so very sorry you went through that. What steps did you take that finally led to your finding out you had it? And, once you did, did you backtrack and ask your original doctor why s/he never mentioned it to you?
Postpartum Depression Legislation: Beneficial Or Conspiratorial?
Apr 9, 2008 at 12:26 pm
[…] in January, I notified you all of an advocacy alert regarding the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act (S.1375) from the […]
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: