ABC’S “GENERAL HOSPITAL” PARTNERS WITH POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL

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 --

Postpartum Progress: MOTHERS Act To Drug America's Moms For Fake Postpartum Depression

From Katherine Stone: 

Wake up, Warrior Moms.  Wake up people who work to prevent child abuse, people who work to prevent suicide, people who work to prevent preterm births, people who care about healthy families.  Wake up, people who care about motherhood.  Wake up, women of America.  Wake up psychiatric professionals, nurses, OB/GYNS, pediatricians. 

Here's an actual text of a communication being sent far and wide by the very loud and vociferous opposition to the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act to support increased funding, education and research for postpartum depression.....

Postpartum Progress: MOTHERS Act To Drug America's Moms For Fake Postpartum Depression

Monday Morning Memo Message

To: HMHB Members
Date: April 6, 2009, Volume 11, Edition 14

- MONDAY MORNING MEMO -

This Week:
1) Webinar from Lamaze International
2) Multiple Births and Maternal Depression
3) Impact of Preterm Birth on School Performance
4) April is Autism Awareness Month
5) Resource on Health Care for Mothers and Children
6) Job Listing:  AMCHP Associate Director

News from National
Last week I had the opportunity to Childbirth Connection's 90th Anniversary Symposium, "Transforming Maternity Care."  What a milestone for this organization, who under Maureen Correy's leadership has served families and the field so well.  For more information about the organization's unique history and their research, education and advocacy efforts, go to http://www.childbirthconnection.org/.  Happy Anniversary, Childbirth Connection!

MATERNAL-INFANT HEALTH NEWS
1) WEBINAR FROM LAMAZE INTERNATIONAL
On April 22nd, Lamaze International will host a webinar, "Hospital Practices That Promote Breastfeeding."  Scheduled for 12:00-1:00pm Eastern Time, the online session will teach participants how to support new mothers and babies through the process of breastfeeding.  Learning objectives include:  discover how long-term breastfeeding benefits mothers and their babies; understand the five evidence-based breastfeeding practices in hospitals; identify resources for adopting new practices and policies in medical settings; outline differences between the initiation and duration of breastfeeding; and learn how to promote safe breastfeeding policies in your local hospital.  Space is limited.  To participate, the price is $25 for members and $40 for non-members.  After viewing this Webinar and passing a brief quiz, participants can earn one Lamaze and one Nursing contact hour.  Register by selecting the live Webinar in Lamaze International's Online Education Store at http://eseries.lamaze.org/source/Orders/index.cfm?section=unknown&task=3&CATEGORY=WEBINARS&PRODUCT_TYPE=SALES&PRODUCT_CODE=WEB_HOSPRACT&SKU=WEB_HOSPRACT&DESCRIPTION=Webinars&FindSpec=&CFTOKEN=95621622&continue=1&SEARCH_TYPE=find&FindIn 

2) MULTIPLE BIRTHS AND MATERNAL DEPRESSION
Mothers of multiple births are at increased risk of having depressive symptoms, according to a study published in the April edition of the journal Pediatrics.  Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Birth Cohort, researchers studied prevalence of moderate/severe depressive symptoms at nine months after delivery, adjusting for demographic and household socioeconomic characteristics and maternal history of mental health problems.  They found that mothers of multiple births had 43% greater chance of having moderate/severe depressive symptoms in comparison with mothers of singletons.  To read the study online, go to http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/4/1147.

3) IMPACT OF PRETERM BIRTH ON SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
A study in the April 2009 edition of the journal Pediatrics examined the impact that being born late preterm (34 to 36 weeks gestation) has on a child's prekindergarten and kindergarten performance.  In "Early School-Age Outcomes of Late Preterm Infants" the study authors note that while late preterm infants are a significant portion of preterm deliveries, there has been an assumption that they carry minimal risk for long-term morbidities.  However, the risk for developmental delay or disability was 36% higher among late preterm infants compared with those born at term.  For more information, access the study online at http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/4/e622.

CHILD, ADOLESCENT, FAMILY & COMMUNITY HEALTH NEWS
4) APRIL IS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
During the month of April, organizations are encouraged to educate the public about autism and highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about this disorder.  An average of one in 150 children is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  The Autism Society of America highlights eight ways you can celebrate Autism Awareness Month.  To access their Web site go to http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_awareness.  In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a feature with information for parents on how to recognize the signs of developmental delays which could be a sign of autism.  To access this information online, go to http://www.cdc.gov/Features/DetectAutism/.  For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.htm.

ADVOCATES IN ACTION
5) RESOURCE ON HEALTH CARE FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
The National Center for Children in Poverty has created a fact sheet that examines state policy choices that promote access to quality health care for mothers and children.  "Making Maternal and Child Health a Priority" was designed to inform the national and state-level debate on how to improve the health care system.  It includes discussion of the current state of health care, including the percentage of young children without health insurance and information on how states can address the barriers children and parents face when accessing health care.  To access the report online, go to http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_860.html.

6) JOB LISTING:  AMCHP ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) is recruiting for an Associate Director for Women's and Infant Health.  The Associate Director is accountable for the development, implementation and evaluation of program activities related to women's and infant health, maternal and child health, and data and assessment through cooperative agreements and other funding sources  The Associate Director leads the Women's and Infant Health Team and contributes to the advancement of MCH programs.  This position leads the tracking, analysis, and reporting on federal and state programs impacting women's and perinatal health and plays a critical role in fund development for women's and infant programmatic efforts.  For more information about AMCHP, access their Web site at http://www.amchp.org/pages/Welcome.aspx.  To download the job description, visit http://www.jobtarget.com/c/search_results.cfm?site_id=3940&jb=5327633.  For additional information about this job opportunity, please contact lramos@amchp.org.

Sources:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/4/1147
http://www.amchp.org/pages/Welcome.aspx
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_awareness
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/DetectAutism/
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.htm
http://eseries.lamaze.org/source/Orders/index.cfm?section=unknown&task=3&CATEGORY=WEBINARS&PRODUCT_TYPE=SALES&PRODUCT_CODE=WEB_HOSPRACT&SKU=WEB_HOSPRACT&DESCRIPTION=Webinars&FindSpec=&CFTOKEN=95621622&continue=1&SEARCH_TYPE=find&FindIn
http://www.jobtarget.com/c/search_results.cfm?site_id=3940&jb=5327633
http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_860.html
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/4/e622.

____________________________________________________________________
Information is reported as provided and does not necessarily represent the view of or the endorsement by the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. A complete copy of HMHB's disclaimer is available on the HMHB Web site at http://www.hmhb.org/disclaimer.html

Free Monday Phone Chat for Dads from Postpartum Support International

Every Monday evening, Postpartum Support International has an informational phone forum for Dads, facilitated by an expert in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and recovery.

Imagine the benefits of being able to talk with a PSI PPD expert about resources, symptoms, options and general information about perinatal mood disorders from the privacy of your own home. No need to arrange child care or transportation. No need to pre-register or give your name.

Sessions are informational only and open to anyone with questions and concerns about themselves, a loved one, friend or family member. Limited to the first 15 callers,sessions are held every Monday.

*******************************Dads Chats********************************

There is no need to register, the sessions are live and free, and the facilitators are licensed, mental-health professionals. This is a place where dads, partners, extended family members or other support people, and professionals can find some answers and support from an expert – and from other men. Dads will find honest and compassionate talk about the adjustment to parenthood, information about how fatherhood can affect you, and some helpful advice. Participation can be anonymous.

MONDAY CHATS FOR MEN

“What can I do to support my partner?”

“Is it possible that I’m depressed too?”

“Am I the only guy who’s struggling with becoming a dad?”

Visit http://postpartum.net/info-sessions/ for call schedule and access codes

Need your help generating signatures for the MOTHERS Act

From: Susanstonelcsw@aol.com

Hey Ladies and Gentleman:

Now that The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act has passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, we face an even more difficult challenge getting it to the senate floor and passed this year. With the help of Mary Jo Codey, Former First Lady, State of New Jersey, Sylvia Lasalandra, author of A Daughters Touch, and Katherine Stone, author of our nation's most widely read blog on PPD, Postpartum Progress, we are attempting to bring the movement of support to life by listing the names of constituents within each state that support this legislation.

We've gotten off to a great start, but have a ways to reach our goal of a thousand signatures from each state by MOTHERS Day.

Please help us build this additional, more personal demonstration of national support by encouraging your colleagues, family and friends to lend their names to this project. The stakeholders are anyone who has ever been a mother or a child.  Please ask them to email me at susanstonelcsw@aol.com

with their name, state, any credentials, and permission to be listed.

To see the listings, go to http://www.perinatalpro.com/ppdlegislation/listingofsupporters.html

Thanks for all you do for women, children and families to support maternal child health!

Warmly,

Susan

 

Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW
Chair, President's Advisory Council,
Postpartum Support International
NJHSS Certified Perinatal Mood Disorders Instructor
Adjunct Lecturer, Silver School of Social Work
New York University
Public Reviewer, NIMH
http://www.perinatalpro.com
201-567-5596 (office)
201-567-6597 (fax)
susanstonelcsw@aol.com

Postpartum Progress: MGH Center for Women's Mental Health Seeking Study Participants

The Massachussetts General Hospital Center for Women's Mental Health is conducting a new study titled "Escitalopram (Lexapro) for the treatment of postpartum depresson".  It is a 2-month open label trial of Lexapro for women who have been feeling depressed and anxious since giving birth.  Women would need to be able to go into the Boston office 5 times over a period of 2 months.  If you are between the ages of 18 and 45, gave birth within the past six months, began to feel depressed and anxious within 3 months of giving birth, are not currently taking an antidepressant and are not breastfeeding, you may be eligible to participate in this research study evaluating how an FDA-approved antidepressant helps treat depression after childbirth.  Women who participate will receive study medication and evaluations of their mood at no cost and will be compensated up to $150 over the course of the 8-week study.  For information call 617-724-6989 or email kdonovan8@partners.org.

Postpartum Progress: MGH Center for Women's Mental Health Seeking Study Participants

MedlinePlus: FDA Panel Snubs Seroquel as 1st Choice Depression Treatment

Safety concerns mean the drug should only be used when other medications don't work, advisers say

HealthDay
Thursday, April 9, 2009

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.

However, in a separate 6-to-3 vote, the panelists recommended that the medication could be used as supplemental treatment for patients with depression who do not get symptom relief from other drugs, the Associated Press reported. The expert panel did not hold a similar vote for anxiety disorders.

Overall, "I saw no clear advantage demonstrated in efficacy," said Dr. Wayne Goodman, the panel's chairman and a psychiatric researcher at the U.S. National Institutes of Health. "There were side effects, and I would expect unintended consequences associated with wide-scale use of the drug."

The FDA is not mandated to follow its advisory panels' advice, although it usually does. Federal health officials have already approved the use of Seroquel (quetiapine) and drugs like it to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.....

MedlinePlus: FDA Panel Snubs Seroquel as 1st Choice Depression Treatment