April 7, 2009
ABC’S “GENERAL HOSPITAL” PARTNERS WITH POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL TO LAUNCH PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ON POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
PSA Featuring Kimberly McCullough to Air on April 16;
May Sweep Storyline Will Integrate Real Life Mothers Afflicted with Illness
ABC’s top-rated daytime drama “General Hospital” has partnered with Postpartum Support International (PSI) to feature a public service announcement (PSA) on postpartum depression, it was announced today by Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group and Birdie Gunyon Meyer, RN, MA, president, PSI.
The informative PSA will air immediately following the THURSDAY, APRIL 16 episode featuring the ongoing storyline centered on Dr. Robin Scorpio (Kimberly McCullough) and her battle with the illness following the birth or her daughter, Emma. During May sweeps, she will finally come to terms with the affliction, deciding to seek professional help, and later join a support group that will be cast with real-life mothers who had postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression is experienced by nearly one million women in the United States each year. The PSA will include information on the symptoms of postpartum depression, as well as how to contact Postpartum Support International to get help. It will remind new mothers and family members that no one is to blame for this illness, and that it is a treatable medical disease.
“As our viewers expect to be entertained each day, they also want to be educated when an important medical issue is integrated into storyline. I am sure some members of our audience are either directly affected with post partum depression or know someone who is, and we believe it is important to direct our audience to the organizations that can help them,” said Jill Farren Phelps, executive producer, “General Hospital.”
“PSI is honored that the producers and writers of ‘General Hospital’ felt the topic of postpartum depression was an important one to share with their audience,” said Meyer. “Millions of women’s lives can be saved by ending the fear and isolation of sufferers and offering access to treatment resources. We are grateful to ABC Daytime following up with a public service announcement and helping to raise awareness of what is truly the most common complication of childbirth.”
Meyer served as a medical consultant for the postpartum depression storyline, and the public service announcement was written by PSI board member Katherine Stone.
In the past several years, “General Hospital” has worked alongside and been praised by national organizations for elevating the public awareness of several important health issues. These have included HIV/AIDS, bipolar disorder, drug addiction and breast cancer.
“General Hospital” airs at 3:00 p.m., ET and 2:00 p.m., PT on the ABC Television Network and on SOAPnet at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT. Recently awarded a record 10th Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Daytime Drama, the program celebrates 46 years of broadcasting on April 1, 2009, and is the longest-running dramatic serial on ABC, having aired more than 11,500 episodes. “General Hospital” is consistently one of the top Daytime programs in the key demographic of Women 18-49 and Women 18-34. Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, its executive producer is Jill Farren Phelps, producers are Mary O’Leary, Mercer Barrows and Michelle Henry, and head writer is Robert Guza, Jr.
Postpartum Support International (PSI) is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to helping women suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression, the most common complication of childbirth. PSI was founded in 1987 to increase awareness among public and professional communities about the emotional difficulties that women can experience during and after pregnancy. The organization offers support, reliable information, best practice training, and volunteer coordinators in all 50 U.S. states as well as 26 countries around the world. Working together with volunteers, caring professionals, researchers, legislators and others, PSI is committed to eliminating stigma and ensuring that compassionate and quality care is available to all families. To learn more, call PSI at 800-944-4PPD or visit www.postpartum.net.
Photography is available at:
http://www.abcmedianet.com/ or by calling (818) 460-6611. The PSA will also be available on MediaNet as of Friday, April 17.
ABC Daytime Media Relations:
Mitch Messinger (818) 460-6532 or mitchell.c.messinger@abc.com
Postpartum Support International:
Katherine Stone (678) 764-2141
-- ABC --
WEDNESDAY, April 8 (HealthDay News) -- In a unanimous vote, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel determined Wednesday that AstraZeneca's antipsychotic drug Seroquel has too many safety concerns to make it a first-line treatment against depression or anxiety disorders.
