psi july 09 newsletter

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Second Quarter, 2009 Volume XX, Issue 2 Postpartum Support International, Santa Barbara, CA

The Silent Auction, held at our annualconference banquet needs your help. As anonprofit organization, the auction is an importantfundraising event. We are asking for items valuedat $100.00 minimum. So far, we have someexciting items up for auction including: a case ofwine, a golf outing at a California club, andbeautiful jewelry.

Do you have a beach house, theatresubscription tickets or something else you’d like to

donate? It’s easy! Contact your local merchants,favorite restaurant or friends and ask if they’ll helpsupport Postpartum Support International’s mission.

Help make this the best auction ever! Please seedonor form on the last page with all the informationyou need to submit your item. If you have anyquestions or want more information, contact LindaKlempner at 201 692-9496 (Remember, this isEastern Daylight Time Zone!) [email protected]. Thank-you in advance.Linda Klempner, Silent Auction Coordinator

August 4-7, 2009Postpartum Support International & PerinatalMental Health Task Force of LA County presents“Community Partnerships in Addressing PerinatalMood Disorders: Clinical and IntegrativePerspectives”Aug 4 and 5: Pre-conference Training, CertificateCourse in Perinatal Mood &Anxiety DisordersAug 6 and 7:Main Conference Presentations,Panels, and BreakoutsThursday Evening, Aug 6: Annual Banquet withSilent Auction and Entertainment. Tickets can bepurchased separately.

Here is the link for online registration, information,and link to hotel: http://psi.eventbrite.com/

Conference Location: The California Endowment -1000 N. Alameda St - Los Angeles, CA 90012Hotel Accommodations: The Millennium BiltmoreHotel in downtown Los Angeles will offer a specialrate of $145/night to conference attendees.We hope you’ll join us!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Doctors, Nurses, andother Medical Providers, Social Workers, MentalHealth Professionals, Community Service Providers,Childbirth Professionals, Public HealthProfessionals, Policy Advocates, GovernmentRepresentatives, and Community Membersconcerned about increasing education and integratedaccess to informed resources and support forperinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

SPONSORS:Postpartum Support International (PSI) is theworld’s largest non-profit organization dedicated tohelping women suffering from perinatal mood andanxiety disorders, including postpartum depression,the most common complication of childbirth.The Perinatal Mental Health Task Force of LACounty is a network of public and private agenciesand organizations, community leaders, consumers,and health care providers dedicated to promotingthe health and well-being of pregnant and post-partum women, their children, and their familiesthrough the effective prevention and treatment ofperinatal mood disorders.

Please join us in Los Angeles for Postpartum Support International’s 23rd annual conference.You can register by mail or fax. The conference brochure and registration form have been sent by email

to all members, and will be sent again soon.Please send registration forms to PAC/LAC, 5530 Corbin Ave. Suite 323, Tarzana, CA 91356 or by fax at

818.708.2950. We hope to see you there for this informative and inspiring conference.

PSI’S SILENT AUCTION NEEDS YOU!!!!

PSI’S 23rd InternationalConference in Los Angeles, CA

Illinois DeclaresMay PPD Month

Anne DunnewoldJoins PAC

NIH andWomen's Health

Research

President'sMessage

Heartstrings -A PPD Hero

Coordinator andMembers' News

Awards andHonor

12

35713

Board of DirectorsBirdie Gunyon Meyer,

RN, MA, CLC, President

Deborah Sorensen

Vice President

Kimberly Wong, Esq

Executive Vice President

2009 PSI Conference

Co-Chair

Mary Lou Kravetz, Treasurer

Wendy Davis, PhD

Coordinator Chair

Linda Klempner, PhD

Membership Chair

Merrill Sparago, MD

Professional Development

& Research Chair

2009 PSI Conference

Co-Chair

Katherine Stone

Public Relations /

Outreach Chair

Yvonne Moore, MD, MA,

FACOG

Member at Large

Pec Indman, EdD, MFT

Education / Training /

Curriculum Development

Chair

Ruta Nonacs, MD, PhD

Member at Large

Amy Tobias

Development Chair

Brian Shanahan, WebsiteChair

Mary Joan Brinson. MSW

President’s Advisory CouncilSusan Dowd Stone,

MSW, LCSW, Chairman

Jane Honikman, MS, Founder

Manny Alvarez MD

Diana Lynn Barnes, PsyD

Cheryl Tatano Beck

Shoshana Bennett, PhD

Catherine Birndorf, MD

Carol Blocker

Philip Boyce, MD

Mary Jo Codey

Jeanne Watson Driscoll, PhD

Ann L. Dunnewold, Ph.D.

Jessica Farrar

Vivette Glover

Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, PhD

Laurence Kruckman, PhD

Sylvia Lasalandra,

Mary Ellen Logan

M. Cynthia Logsdon,

DNS, ARNP

Shari Lusskin, MD

Alexis Menken, PhD

Joan Mudd

Sonia Murdoch,

George Parnham, Esq.

Anne D.S. Smith, CNM

Margaret Spinelli, MD

Valerie Plame Wilson

Office Administrator

Devani Priest

PSI NEWS -

ABOUT PSIABOUT PSIPSI is the world’s largest non-profit organizationdedicated to helping women suffering fromperinatal mood and anxiety disorders, includingpostpartum depression, the most commoncomplication of childbirth. PSI was founded in1987 to increase awareness among public andprofessional communities about the emotionaldifficulties that women can experience duringand after pregnancy. The organization offerssupport, reliable information, best practicetraining and volunteer coordinators in all 50 USstates as well as 26 countries around the world.Working together with volunteers, caringprofessionals, researchers, legislators and others,PSI is committed to eliminating stigma andensuring that compassionate and qualitycare is available to all families. To learn more,

call PSI at 800-944-4PPDor visit www.postpartum.net.

WE OFFER:• A website, www.postpartum.net, full of

information helpful to the mother and herfriends and relatives.

• A quarterly newsletter, PSI News,sharing information from a varietyof sources worldwide.

• An annual conference offering opportunitiesto network and listen to experts sharingresearch and model practices in the treatmentof PPD. Members pay reduced fees.

• Volunteers worldwide offering support andreferral information. For more information,visit our website or [email protected]

ABOUT PSI NEWS

PSI News is a quarterly publication ofPostpartum Support International. Thisnewsletter is sent to all members. Materialsubmitted will be printed at the discretion of theeditor. We reserve the right to edit allsubmissions. Submission deadlines are Feb. 15,May 15, Aug. 15, and Nov. 15. Material may besubmitted to [email protected] with PSI News

in the subject line. Alternatively, material may besent by regular mail to PSI, P.O. Box 60931Santa Barbara, CA 93160, USA. If sent by regularmail, please include a notation that you aresubmitting information for PSI News.For more information about PSI News, pleasecontact: Claire VanBlaricum, (805) 967-7523 [email protected].

Graphic design is by Cecilia Martini-Muth ofS2L Graphics, Santa Barbara, California.

Postpartum Support InternationalP.O. Box 60931

Santa Barbara, CA 93160

Phone: (805) 967-7636Fax: (323) 204-0635

Warmline: 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD)

E-Mail:[email protected]

Web:www.postpartum.net

SAT. JAN 16, 2010featuring

SUE GRAFTONauthor of

T is for Trespassdiscussing hernewest book

U is for Undertow

Save the Date!Mystery Readers’Lunch Fundraiser

in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA

PRESID

ENT

PSI NEWS -

Dear PSI Members, Families,and Friends,

Happy summer months to you all! I stilllike to pretend that it’s summer breakfrom school. I know I still have to workand I’m still busy, but somehow it stillfeels like we’re at a slightly slower pace.I especially enjoy sun and warm weather.

PSI and all of you have been so busywith activities, outreach, programbuilding, winning awards, and helpingwomen and their families.

Please read all about these things inthe current newsletter. We have so manymembers who have won awards ...congratulations to everyone of you!! Isee so many of you featured in local,regional, and national headlines. It’shard to keep up and I feel so proud.Rachel Roberts was crowned Mrs.Oklahoma International and willcompete in July for the Internationaltitle. She has made PPD her platform.Best to you in July!

If you have won an award or havebeen featured in local, regional ornational media, please send it to me andlet me know. We want to continue tohighlight the wonderful work that youall do. Please remember to send in yourlocal and state news for the newsletter.

It’s fun and inspiring to see what othersare doing around the world.

I see and hear about new programsspringing up all around the world andit’s encouraging. We want to keepspreading our message of hope.

Legislative news comes in everyweek. We see activity at the state andnational levels. Thanks to all of you foryour continued tenacity and hard work.We are still looking forward to thepassing of the Melanie Blocker StokesMothers Act.

PSI continues to present trainings inmany places around the US. Checkback frequently in the “Events” area ofthe web site for updates on trainings andlocations. The upcoming trainings atthis point are: LOS ANGELES ONAUGUST 4 & 5 (followed by theannual PSI International Conference onAugust 6 & 7), Arizona in the fall,Louisville, KY in November, and in theplanning stages for Florida and Indiana.Remember, you can have a training inyour city. Contact Pec Indman [email protected] for moreinformation on trainings.

I look forward to seeing every one ofyou at this year’s PSI InternationalConference in Los Angeles, CaliforniaAugust 4-7. The pre-conference (PSI’s2-day Certificate of Completion) isAugust 4 & 5, followed by the 2 dayconference on August 6 & 7. Theconference has a great line-up ofspeakers and topics. Wade Bowen willbe there to sing his song, “Turn on theLights” at our banquet. He will also bespeaking as part of a fathers and otherpartners panel during the conference.We have so many exciting topics fromwhich to choose.

Please sign up as soon as possible.The block of hotel rooms are only beingheld until July 17th. Don’t miss out ongetting the discounted room.Please continue to spread the wordabout this upcoming conference toeveryone you know---Therapists/Psychologists, OB’s ,Nurses/APN’s/ Social Workers,

Psychiatrists, Survivors, friends andfamily. Thanks to Kimberly Wong andMerrill Sparago—co-chairs of this year’sconference—for all their effort and hardwork to make this a successfulconference. I look forward to seeing youall in L.A.!!

We are still hoping for silent auctiondonations. We would like the items forthe silent auction to be valued at$100.00 or more. It’s tax deductible.Please send those items soon.

We will be having the debut of PSI’sfirst educational DVD. This DVD willbe shown and sold at the conference.Watch for future information on thisnew DVD.

Devani Priest, our officeadministrator, stays busy all the time.She keeps our organization runningsmoothly from many aspects and weappreciate her greatly. She was keptespecially busy this spring with theairing of a PSA about Perinatal MoodDisorders and contact information forPSI. The PSA aired at the end of“General Hospital” episodes following astoryline on PPD. We knew about thefirst PSA airing, but we were surprisedby the second one … or, I should saythat Devani was surprised. She returnedfrom lunch to find the voicemail totallyfull, both phones ringing, and manyemails.

Thanks to all for all the phenomenalwork that you do to provide hope, help,and healing for women and theirfamilies! You all inspire me and makemy blood flow.

You are my sunshine,Birdie

PRESIDENT’SMESSAGE

PSI NEWS -

By Michele Zavoras, Administrative Asst to Campaign forCommunity Wellness & Lynn Tarrant Asst Director with PlacerCounty Adult System of Care

On May 14, 2009 Placer County hosted the 1st NorthernCalifornia Postpartum Depression Conference titled “Perinatal

Depression: Research, Awareness, and Support”, held in GraniteBay. It was very well attended, with over 200 people from CentralCalifornia to the Lake Tahoe area.

The Placer County Board of Supervisors had supported thisconference unanimously from its inception. At the conference,District 4 Supervisor Kirk Uhler welcomed participants and sharedhis wife’s experience with postpartum depression, underscoring theneed for families and others to receive more information about theillness.

Speakers included Shoshana Bennett, PhD; Jane Honikman,M.S.; and Pec Indman, Ed.D., M.F.T., who provided participantswith a wealth of information on the subject.

The sponsors for this conference included Placer County AdultSystem of Care, KidsFirst (formerly known as Child AbusePrevention Council), First 5 Placer, Placer County Public HealthNursing, Sutter Family Support Project, Family and Friends, andPostpartum Support International. Committee members whoworked extremely hard to put the conference together andorganized it included Mary Jo Sweeney, R.N., M.S.; Lisa Roberts,Katrina Henry and Sue Seaters, all from Placer CountyCommunity Health and Clinics; Kay Fischer from Sutter Health;Michele Zavoras from Placer County Adult System of Care; KellyMcGinnis from Postpartum Support International; Dennis andCarolynn Luchay, Kim Martinez, and Terri Martinez, all advocatesfrom Placer County Community.

Conference participants discussed the next steps and interest toget more information in the communities about postpartumdepression, GO PLACER!

Jane Honikman,Pec Indman, andShoshanaBennett with thePSI MemoryQuilt at thePlacervilleConference

Placerville, CaliforniaConference a Success

Governor Quinn Proclaims May 2009 PostpartumMood Disorders Awareness Month in Illinois

Chicago, Illinois – Illinois GovernorPat Quinn proclaimed May 2009Postpartum Mood Disorders AwarenessMonth in order to raise awareness of thecommon illness experienced by moms andmoms-to-be.

“I am proud to declare May 2009 asPostpartum Mood Disorders AwarenessMonth in Illinois. By increasing publicawareness of these disorders, we can identifywomen who will benefit from treatment,saving them from unnecessary distress andsuffering,” said Governor Quinn.

In Illinois, the Postpartum DepressionIllinois Alliance (PPD IL) works topromote awareness, prevention andtreatment of maternal mental health issuesthroughout the state. PPD IL offers ahelpline (847-205-4455) and website

(www.PPDil.org) for women and theirfamilies so they can learn more aboutpregnancy & postpartum mood disordersand access local resources such as supportgroups and trained healthcare providers.

“We want women to realize that theyare not alone, they are not to blame andwith help, you can be well again,” said Dr.Sarah Allen, Chair of PPD IL Alliance.

The PPD IL Alliance has chosen May,as it is home to Mother’s Day, to educatewomen and their families and friends aboutthe nature of this illness. Approximately15% to 20% of pregnant women and 15%of new mothers experience major or minordepression in the first year after givingbirth. Symptoms differ for everyone butmay include:

• Many worries and panic attacks• Feelings of sadness, fear, anger and guilt• Possible thoughts of harming the baby

or oneself• Lack of interest in the baby• Appetite & sleep disturbance• Difficulty concentrating and making

decisions

“In this day and age, I think it’sdeplorable that so many women still haveto suffer in shame and silence with adisorder that, when identified and treatedearly, does not have to be an impediment toa woman and her family’s ability to enjoythe birth of a child,” said U. S. Rep. BobbyL. Rush (D-IL) who recently re-introducedcont. on page 11

PSI NEWS -

Dear fellow PSI members,My niece recently gave me a

check in the amount of $500 forPSI. She’s a beautiful girl by thename of; Sydney MorganMason. She’s 13 yearsold & has recentlycelebrated her batmitzvah. Sydneydonated themoney to PSI aspart of herMitzvah. I can’ttell you howtouched I was bythis genuine &heartfelt gesture.In December she

wrote an essay about a“Hero” in her life. She wroteabout me, her “Aunt Syl.” Notonly did she receive an A for theessay, it now hangs on my wallframed. Everyday I look at it andthink to myself if we touched theheart of a 13 year old...can youimagine the many hearts PSI istouching worldwide? I’m trulyblessed to have Sydney in my lifeand she is MY HERO! Thankyou Sydney Morgan Mason!!!To the right you will find a

short paragraph Sydney wrote onwhy she donated the money andalso a copy of her “Hero Essay”written for a school assignment.

Warmly, Sylvia LasalandraFrodella, Constituent Relations,Former First Lady of New Jersey,Mary Jo Codey, LegislativeDirector, PerinatalPro.com-http://www.perinatalpro.comPSI President’s Advisory CouncilMember-www.postpartum.netAuthor, A Daughter’s Touch -www.adaughterstouch.com973-865-6010Email:[email protected]

By Sydney MasonHERO ESSAY

A Note from the Author ...

A hero can be defined in manyways. My definition of a hero issomeone who is kind, dedicated, and setsa good example for peopleyounger then them. My hero fits all ofthese categories and plus some more. MyAunt Sylvia is my hero because she iskind, successful, and a good example.Aunt Sylvia is one of the kindest people

I have ever met and that is one reason sheis my hero. She is friends with everyonewhich is a great quality that I feel makesher a better person. Aunt Sylvia is alsovery giving and is not greedy or selfish inanyway. For example, my aunt goesaround the country giving speeches aboutPostpartum depression. Her speeches areto help the women suffering from thishorrible disease which my auntsuccessfully fought.My aunt is one of the most successful

and determined people I have ever met.She is very successful because she wrote abook about her experience of PPD. Assad as her book, A Daughter’s Touch is, ithas some humor and shows a funny wayof such a horrible, and happily endingstory. Her successful book soon wasturned into a short film and amazinglyAunt Sylvia won best director! Aunt

Sylvia’s short film was played at the NewYork International Film & Video Festivaland was enjoyed by many. My family andespecially I are extremely proud of her!My favorite trait of my aunt and

probably the one that makes her myhero is that she is a good role model. I sayshe is a good role modelbecause she has always been verydetermined. Aunt Sylvia believes inherself which is something everyoneshould do. She also doesn’t takeNO for an answer, she only thinks of thebetter. I got this positive trait from herand it helps me through life.As you can see from what I have

written, my Aunt Sylvia fits all ofthe traits to be a hero. I know that I canalways count on her to havemy back and support me throughanything. She is very trustworthy too.Although she is my aunt, we talk and getalong as if she was my life long friend. Ihope everyone is as fortunate as I am tohave such an amazing person in thefamily. Because my Aunt Sylvia is kind,successful, and a good role model, I choseher to be my hero and I think she the besthero any girl could have.”

This May I turned 13.Along with turning 13 Ialso became a bat mitzvah.Because of the fact I wasbecoming a bat mitzvah I

felt the need toparticipate in agood deed or a“mitzvah.”In additionto the fewotherthings I

participated in for mymitzvah project, I felt itwas necessary to donatesome of my bat mitzvahmoney I received to PSI.One reason I thought Ishould donate this isbecause I knew that themoney was going to a goodcause and something thathas not been receiving theattention that it needs.However because of my

Aunt Sylvia, Mary JoCodey, and many otherdetermined people, thecause has been more andmore noticed and thepublic has become moreaware. I am happy to knowthat because of something Idid women will receive thecare that they need.

Thank you,Sydney Morgan Mason

Sydney Morgan Mason with Mary Jo Codey and Sylvia Lasalandra in May, 2009.

PSI NEWS -

Welcometo Ann L.Dunnewold

We are delighted to welcome AnnL. Dunnewald as the newest memberof PSI’s President’s Advisory Council.When you see her at Conference, lether know how glad you are that she hasjoined the PAC!

Ann L. Dunnewold, Ph.D., is alicensed psychologist specializing inwomen’s mental health issues related toreproductive function. In independent

practice in Dallas, Ann has providedtraining and consultation to healthsystems and professionals onpostpartum mood disorders for morethan fifteen years. She has beenfeatured as an expert in numerousnational television/radio broadcasts andprint stories. Ann is also a consultantappearing in Postpartum Emotions:The Blues and Beyond, which airs inmany hospital systems over theLamaze/Newborn Channel. WithDiane Sanford, Ph.D., Ann is co-author of Postpartum Survival Guide,originally published in 1994 andupdated in 2009 as Life Will Never Bethe Same: Surviving the Ups andDowns of Pregnancy and Postpartum.She is author of Even June CleaverWould Forget the Juice Box: CutYourself Some Slack (and Still RaiseGreat Kids) in the Age of ExtremeParenting, as well as two other titles onpostpartum mental health. Ann servedas president of Postpartum SupportInternational from 1996-1998, andplayed an instrumental role in theoriginal design and content of PSI’scourse on postpartum mood disorders.A graduate of The Ohio StateUniversity, she was honored as the2008 recipient of the Jane HonikmanAward for her commitment topostpartum women and their families.

The word is getting out! PSI is trainingall over the country. To find out where andwhen trainings are happening, check outthe PSI website’s Event section. You canbring a training tPSI has been training allover! In the past few months PSI’sstandardized two-day training has beenpresented in Northern California, Arizona,Washington DC (with the NationalInstitute of Mental Health), Oklahoma,and Florida.

The two-day training will be the pre-conference at our PSI conference in LA in

August. There will also be a two-daytraining in Tucson, Arizona on October 8-9, 2009 at Child and Family Resources.

For more information about PSI’sstandardized two-day trainings, and toarrange for a training in your area, pleasecontact the PSI office [email protected].

Perinatal Mood Disorders: Componentsof Care AUGUST 4-5, 2009Pre-conference at the annualPSI conference LOS ANGELES, CA

PSI Trainings AreGoing Strong!

Conference coordinator Susan Ellis Murphy,MA, BSN, RNC, LPC (left) with featuredspeakers Cheryl Tatano Beck, DNSc, CNM,FAAN (center); and Jeanne Watson Driscoll,Ph.D., RN (right) at the “Breaking DownWalls – New Frontiers in Perinatal MentalHealth Care” conference on June 3, 2009.More than 140 health professionals gathered tolearn about advancements in the presentation,interventions, and treatment of perinatal mooddisorders, with a special focus on their interplayamong other behavioral health issues, such asperinatal addictions. The annual conference issponsored by the Southern New Jersey PerinatalCooperative and the New Jersey Department ofHealth and Senior Services.

PSI WILLDO A

TRAININGANYWHERE!

PSI NEWS - A

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This column is presented in the hope thatthe information presented will be helpfuland inspiring to read. Get new ideas abouthow to network and build yourorganization. Learn from one another.

ARIZONA:Legislative activity: Although Januarywas rich in AZ Senate and HousePerinatal Mood Disorders bills andresolutions, the stalemate in sealing a2010 state budget under our newGovernor, Janice Brewer, precludedhearing any bills for much of thissession. However, we did have our billheard in the state Senate on Wed June17. It is SB 1312. Perinatal MoodDisorders Study Committee. (Pleasecontact Carole or the PSI Office for thelanguage of this bill.)Proclamations: Arizona Governor JaniceBrewer proclaimed May 2009 asPostpartum Emotional Wellness Month.Mayors Bob Walkup of Tucson and BobStrain of Sierra Vista proclaimed theweek of Mother’s Day as PostpartumDepression Awareness Week. In bothcities, a production of Nadine Bernard’s,In the Shadow of My Son was hosted tocommemorate these proclamations andthe mothers in these communities.These events were supported by localhospitals, Carondelet St. Joseph’sHospital in Tucson (May 11), and SierraVista Regional Medical Center in SierraVista (May 14) along with the supportof local donors.

AZ Postpartum Wellness Coalition-Northern AZ Region celebrated on May30, 2009 with a reading of theproclamation by the Mayor ofCottonwood and OB Director of VerdeValley Medical Center followed by a 2-mile ‘BEAT THE BLUES’ walk.

Education: Catholic Healthcare Westhosted a PSI 2-day professional trainingat Mercy Gilbert Medical Center inGilbert, AZ on April 16-17, 2009.Faculty: Christi Hibbert, PsyD,Michelle Lacy, MA, Carole Sheehan,MA, RNC, and Kathy Smith, MD, Inthe Shadow of My Son was presented asa “lunch and learn” on the first day ofthe training, which was attended by 58local professionals and PPD survivors.Scholarships were provided by CatholicHealthcare West, AZ PostpartumWellness Coalition/PSI-AZ, and theTucson Postpartum Wellness Coalitionto provide education to volunteersworking on the AZ Warmline, a publichealth intern, and a psychiatric nursepractitioner working in a state-fundedbehavioral health agency.Next PSI AZ training will be October8-9, 2009 in Tucson with the support ofChild and Family Resources.Conferences: May 21, 2009, AZAWHONN, Mesa, AZ. In conjunctionwith this one day conference, In theShadow of My Son rounded out the dayin an evening performance followed byGrand Rounds on Perinatal MoodDisorders led by Phoenix-areaperinatologist, Marlin Mills. ChristiHibbert, Psy D and Karleen Lee, RN,were part of an afternoon round tablediscussion on PMDs.

Carole Sheehan MA, RNCPostpartum Depression ServicesCarondelet St. Joseph’s HospitalPSI-AZ Coordinator(520) [email protected]

CONNECTICUTPSI Co-Coordinator for Connecticut,Teresa Twomey, has published her firstbook, Understanding Postpartum

Psychosis: A Temporary Madness. The firsthalf of the book contains: two medicalchapters written by Shoshana Bennett,Ph.D., past president of PSI; one chapteron Media and History, including historyof PSI; and one chapter on Legal Views,including an exclusive interview withGeorge Parnham and advice forattorneys who represent women withPPMDs. The second half of the bookcontains first-person stories ofpostpartum psychosis, written by thewomen themselves. Most are stories ofrecovery that illustrate the nature of thisillness. Two are stories of tragedy: one isan infanticide and one is a suicide. Thesuicide is the story of Melanie BlockerStokes based on an interview withMelanie’s mother, Carol. The book alsocontains resources for help and resourcesfor further reading. The book has beenendorsed by PSI president, Birdie Meyer;PSI founder, Jane Honikman; CarolBlocker, mother of Melanie BlockerStokes; and George Parnham, attorneyfor Andrea Yates and PSI advocate.

The book has created severalopportunities to speak, not only aboutthe book, but also about the work ofPSI. This has included appearances ontelevision shows, articles in newspapers,and speaking opportunities at librariesand churches. At the Conference for theAssociation for Research on Mothering.Twomey presented a talk titled“Ordinary Mothers Gone Mad: Tales ofPostpartum Psychosis. (The conferencewas titled, in part, “Mothers GoneMad”)

In addition, the Connecticutcoordinators and volunteers are workingto contact hospitals, birthing centers andmental health facilities to determinewhat resources exist for postpartummoms in CT. Anyone wishing to add tothis list of resources is asked to call 203-439-2001.

Teresa Twomey,PSI Connecticut [email protected]

Coordinator and MembersNews From Around the World

USA

PSI NEWS -

GEORGIAUpdate from Stockbridge, Georgia:Henry Medical Center in Stockbridge,Georgia continues with progress topromote and expand awareness regardingPostpartum Mental Disorders. With thegoal of improving assessment skills of thehospital Mother/Baby nurses andincreasing awareness for all staffmembers of the Unit, the process beganin the summer of 2008, during theannual Competency Fair. In August of2008, the Manager of the Women’sHealth Unit met in Atlanta, Georgiawith a group of other women fromacross the state to begin grass-rootsefforts to promote awareness ofPostpartum Mental Disorders. Themeeting was spear-headed by Dr.Hedwige “DiDi” Saint Louis, anOB/GYN doctor in Atlanta. In May,Dr. Saint Louis, provided a PostpartumMental Disorder presentation to theHenry Medical Center Medical Staff.Henry Medical Center is now partneringwith First Steps of Henry County, avolunteer program that offers support,information, and community referralsfor resources, and conducts phone callsto postpartum patients for a 3-monthfollow-up period. Our next plannedapproach will be aimed at our localpediatricians. Efforts will continue toexpand awareness of this highlyimportant topic.

Patricia McAfeeNurse Manager, Women’s HealthHenry Medical Center1133 Eagle’s Landing ParkwayStockbridge, Ga. 30281678-604-4968

MICHIGANHolland Hospital’s Center for GoodHealth will be presenting the seminar“Postpartum Depression: What is it allabout” on Monday August 3, 2009, 6-7PM at Holland Hospital ConferenceCenter, Holland, Michigan.

This is a free presentation to educatethe community on PMD. Here is the ad

printed in our hospital class catalog:“Have you heard the latest? It is OK

to talk about the baby blues andpostpartum depression. Come to thisinformational class on what postpartumdepression (PPD) really is and how tohelp someone you know get through it.There will be a panel of women who willshare their experiences with PPD andlet us know what helped and whatdidn’t. All community members areinvited to come and learn the who,what, when and why of PostPartumDepression.”

I am the PMD support groupfacilitator for our area (west Michiganshoreline). Our group struggles as Iusually only have 0-1 women show up.My hope is that through thispresentation, more women will seek helpand support.

It is through Birdie Meyer’s 2-daypresentation in Grand Rapids, MI (May2008) that I have become passionateabout helping women with PMD.

Susan Brockington, RN, CCEChildbirth/Youth Health EducatorHolland HospitalCenter For Good Health175 S. Waverly RdHolland, MI 49423Phone: 616.394.3413Fax: [email protected]

MIDATLANTIC REGION REGIONThe National Institute of Mental Healthand Postpartum Support Virginiarecently hosted PSI’s 2-day certificatetraining program to great success. Over100 people attended, several joined PSI,two new PSI coordinators havevolunteered, and several new supportgroups are being formed as a result ofthe training. Many thanks to Birdie andPec for such a great session!

Postpartum Support Virginia isofficially a 501(c)3 charity now, havingreceived approval from the IRS in May.Now the real work begins -- fundraising!I’d be grateful for any fundraising tips --

contact Adrienne Griffen [email protected] Richmond-Henrico Doctors’Hospital is starting a PerinatalDepression Task Force in Richmond.Interested in learning more? ContactSybil Robertson, 804-281-5549,[email protected].

Welcome to new PSI coordinatorsPerri Shaw Borish in Philadelphia PAand Kathi Nardella in Rockville MD.

Adrienne GriffenPSI Regional Coordinator, Mid AtlanticRegion

MISSOURIQueen of Peace Center in St. Louis, MOwas awarded a HRSA CommunityDoula Grant to serve women intreatment for substance use/addiction.One of the goals of the grant is a focuson perinatal mood disorders. All womenare being screened at least onceprenatally and for six weeks postpartumin an effort to identify, detect, and treatthese disorders quickly. This group isparticularly vulnerable to perinatal mooddisorders due to pre-existing mentalhealth problems. Doulas are trained inco-occurring disorders, screening andidentification of perinatal mooddisorders, and how to make appropriatereferrals when a potential problem isnoted. Currently, Queen of Peace isworking on opportunities to promoteeducation and information to the St.Louis community on perinatal mooddisorders.

If you would like more informationon our project, please do not hesitate tocontact me. The easiest way to reach meis my cell phone: 314-799-0157.

Jamie Bodily, MSCommunity Doula CoordinatorQueen of Peace CenterSt. Louis, MO314-531-0511 [email protected]@yahoo.com

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PENNSYLVANIAWellSpan Health in South Central PAdeveloped a PPD program in 2006 fortheir two hospitals and numerousmedical practices. The program helps toidentify at- risk mothers and thenprovides phone support, education andreferrals as needed. The program offersscreening at several times during theperinatal period. As part of this programa risk assessment tool was developed andpublished in the journal “Nursing2008”. In addition, WellSpan offers anew mother support group as well as alending library. The Advisory BoardCompany recognized the program bypresenting the first annual “FrontlineLeadership for Nurses” award to WendyMcDowell in 2007 for her work indeveloping the program.

Wendy McDowell, RN, BSNPostpartum Depression Resource NurseWellSpan Health(717)851-4305(717)812-3362 (Fax)

RHODE ISLANDI opened up a private practice in HopeValley, Rhode Island with specialties inpostpartum adjustment, mood andanxiety disorders, women’s issues,transitions, difficult life events. I workwith adults, children, and families. Ihave the two day PSI trainingcertification ( two times around now inaddition to other PMAD training) aswell as personal experience withpostpartum mood disorder. I am also avolunteer with Families First RhodeIsland as a ‘mentor mom” providingsupport to a mother in the first year afterher baby is born. I enjoyed the PPMADtraining this spring at NIH immensely-thanks to Postpartum Support ofVirginia and PSI.

From: Elizabeth Carter<[email protected]>

TEXASSan Antonio:I teach Beyond Baby Blues which is acurriculum that I put together 2 yearsago. I am a childbirth educator forMethodist Healthcare System and alicensed psychotherapist on staff at theMarriage and Family Institute of S.A.

Beyond Baby Blues, the class, isoffered once a month and is growing inpopularity. I have a PPD support Groupthat is free and is offered twice a month.In addition, I see moms as needed at theMarriage and Family Institute of S.A.

Maria Zeitz, LPC,MS,LPC, San AntonioTexas Co-Coordinator

ARGENTINADear Psi Members,I send you our two Postgraduate Coursesfrom Favaloro’s University. (Spanishversion and English one)On both courses we teach aboutchildbirth and emotional health.

Sincerely yours,Dra. Elena Levin.President, Postpartum [email protected](5411) 4781-3071(Editor’s note: Due to PSI News spacerestrictions, the flyers for these twocourses will be sent as separate pdfdocuments in another email.)

AUSTRALIAMy name is Melissa Hughes and I run asupported playgroup for familiessuffering with any form of perinatalmood disorder. I am a perinatalpsychotherapist and I work with a malecolleague facilitating 2 hours of grouptherapy for Mums and Dads while thechildren are taken care of in a specialisedchild care facility.

In March this year on InternationalWomen’s Day, March 8th, I was awardeda short listed prize by the Centre forLeadership for Women, for my workwith postnatal depression. The groupcontinues to go from strength to

strength and we hope to be able to rollout more groups in the next two years.Melissa HughesPerinatal PsychotherapistBaby and Beyond Parental CounsellingPhone: (02) 9957 5858Website: www.babyandbeyond.net.auABN: 84616936119

ISRAELThe Israel Childbirth Education Centreis now planning the next academic yearfor training courses for childbirtheducators, doulas, breastfeedingcounselors and co-ordinators of mother-and-baby groups.

There have been two workshops onloss in pregnancy and childbirth by Dr.Astrid Wretmark, a Swedish priest andhospital chaplain. Her experiences ofchanging procedures in the maternityward so that bereaved parents hadquality time with their babies and thecreation of a memorial garden were verymoving - and she had many ideas toshare with counselors who work withfamilies during the childbearing year.

Wendy [email protected]/wendyblumfield

UNITED KINGDOMFrom: “Elaine Hanzak”<[email protected]>Back in 2004 I had finished writing mystory of puerperal psychosis and askedthe then president of PSI if she wouldlook at the manuscript as I wanted toknow if it would be relevant in the USAand not just my native UK. Diana LynnBarnes was most supportive and evenwrote me a wonderful foreword for it.Since ‘Eyes without Sparkle – a journeythrough postnatal illness’ (Radcliffe,2005) was published my life has changedbeyond recognition! I was asked to givetalks and lectures and eventually I gaveup my teaching career to become a full-time speaker and campaigner onpostnatal illness. Last October Iaddressed the European Parliament

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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about the need for more recognition andfacilities to treat women affected by PNI.Through my talks and my website I amkept up to date with what is happeningright now as many people contact me! Iwas thrilled to speak at the Marce societyin Sydney last September and my room-mate was Jane Honikman - so I have noexcuse not to join PSI!I add to my blog(http://elainehanzak.blogspot.com/ )regularly with any news anddevelopments on the area of perinatalmental health. I learn a great deal on mytravels about good practice and I see partof my role to cascade that knowledge.

Kind regards,Elaine A Hanzakwww.hanzak.com Tel: +44 (0) 1928 751235 Mob: +44 (0) 07762 148 183ttps://www.greatvine.com/elaine_hanzakSee my blog athttp://elainehanzak.blogspot.com/

NEWS FROM CANADACarla O’Reilly, Elita Paterson and TaniaBird are three full-time workingMothers, Authors and InspirationalSpeakers from Saskatchewan, CANADA.The three “sisters” began their journey of

healing by sharing their stories alongwith their husbands, only to realize thepowerful and positive impact they werehaving on other mothers and fathers andtheir supports. Their unique encounterwas the catalyst that led them to thepublication of, “The Smiling Mask:Truths about Postpartum Depressionand Parenthood.” Their mission is tocreate awareness, understanding, andacceptance of postpartum difficulties. Aswell as, to bring peace and validation tomothers by engaging and empoweringfamilies and communities in the lifechanging and natural experience ofparenthood.

There have now been and will bemany other opportunities to share theirstories to audiences across Canada andthe United States. Just a few of theseopportunities that are also highlighted intheir website www.thesmilingmask.comare:• Carla O’Reilly creating andfacilitating a Postpartum Support Groupin Moose Jaw, SK, CANADA everyother Sunday.• Their first online article andinterview, along with their husbands’perspectives, was written by JanineSlayton, and has been showcased for allof May and June athttp://www.thefabulouswoman.com/Smiling_Mask.html.• Speaking on their first internationalstage for the “Mothers Gone Mad”Conference hosted by the Association forResearch on Mothering andMamapalooza in New York City thispast May! They’ve also organized andpromoted over 30 speaking engagementswhere they are now being asked to speakby medical and academic institutionsand community groups!• Having a documentary created thatwill be made available for purchase for

Fall 2009. The DVD is intended forPublic Health Nurses to show in theirpre- and post-natal classes as well as formothers and fathers who want to heartheir truths and healing journeys in thecomfort of their own homes. The DVDwill also be showcased at film festivalsaround the world! This project wouldnot be possible if it was not for DianneOuellette’s generosity and connection totheir cause - http://www.difilms.com.• Steering and promoting even moreawareness through a Call for Actionduring their “Unmasking PostpartumDepression: Real Pain - Real People -Real Hope” Conference held onSeptember 29th through to October 1st,2009. Visithttp://www.cntgrp.ca/unmaskingppd formore information and to register for anenlightening and demystifying event!• Their blog that also showcases storiesabout hope and healing and the supportsthat surround us. But there is one storyin particular, that is the entire reasonwhy The Smiling Mask team isadvocating as much as they are – theirinterview with Terra Brockett, whoshares her insight about her friend’s andher daughter’s death as a result of Terra’sfriend, Jen, struggling throughPostpartum Psychosis –http://thesmilingmask.blogspot.com/.

The Smiling Mask Team – Carla, Elitaand Tania – can easily be contacted bysending an email [email protected], anytime, asit’s checked at least 20 times a day! Also,here’s a heartfelt “Thank you!” to PSIcontinuing to provide the stellarsupport and awareness they do eachand every day.

Smiling Mask Team

v i s i t

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cont. from page 4

H.R. 20, the Melanie BlockerStokes MOTHERS Act of2009. “I lend my voice andfull support of the work of thePPD IL Alliance and othergroups throughout our stateand nation who are ascommitted as I am to workingto ensure that all new mothersget the support they need toensure that this special time oftheir lives is a safe, healthy andhappy one.”

Symptoms of depressionand anxiety occur in up to20% of expectant and newmoms, making these the mostcommon complication ofpregnancy, affecting nearly 1million women every year inthe United States alone. Yetdespite their prevalence,perinatal mood and anxietydisorders are under-detected byhealth care professionals andmany women go withouttreatment.

Vanessa, a survivor of PPDdescribes her experience:“I was diagnosed with postpartum depression 6 weeksafter the birth of my son. I wassleep deprived, anxious, shorttempered with my family, andplagued by horrible intrusivethoughts of my infant sonfalling over the balcony, orfalling down the stairs. I alsocouldn’t look at knives and hadto hide them away. I was sohorrified by the vivid picturesof this in my head. As a resultof these thoughts I could barelyeat and was always nervousand anxious.

“I knew this was not how itwas supposed to be since Ialready had a 5 year olddaughter and never sufferedfrom these symptoms after herbirth. I was afraid to be withmy children alone so decided

to stay with my mom for a fewweeks. With medication andtalk therapy I began my way torecovery. My saving grace wasan online support group. I wasable to read the feelings ofothers suffering and post myown. I felt an instant bondand was so thankful. I made apromise to myself and Godthat if I got through thishorrible illness, I would helpothers. I was able to come offmy antidepressant medicationafter 9 months and I became amoderator forPPDsupportpage.com and atelephone helpline volunteerfor the PPD IL Alliance. Myson is now 4 years old and Ifeel that time in my life was ablur. I make sure I spread theword about PPD and howcommon it really is. I feel thatthis illness was dealt to me for apositive reason. I am able totouch others that suffer andtell them that it isn’t a lifesentence. PPD can be treatedand cured.”

PPD IL Alliance is theIllinois subsidiary ofPostpartum SupportInternational, the world’slargest non-profit organizationsupporting women withperinatal mood and anxietydisorders.

For more informationabout pregnancy &postpartum mood disorders& PPMD Awareness monthContact: Dr. Sarah Allen,Chair IL PPD Alliance847 [email protected].

Cheshire resident TeresaTwomey’s main focus forwriting her book,Understanding PostpartumPsychosis, A TemporaryMadness, was to help thethrongs of women who havesuffered or are at risk ofsuffering from the severedisorder.

But, as she began to write,it occurred to her that theprocess was as healing andhelpful for her as shehoped it wouldbe for others.“I hadn’texpectedthat,” saidTwomey.“I hadreally justset out tohelp andeducateother people,but as I began tocollect stories fromthese other women, it reallybegan to help me.”Twomey’s book, published in2008, deals with a mentaldisorder that remains largelyunknown by the generalpublic. Postpartum psychosisis commonly mistaken forpostpartum depression, yetthe symptoms and thepotential effects are far moresevere.To bring her audience face toface with the realities of thedisorder, Twomey wrote abook that she describes as“the first of its kind,”examining postpartum

psychosis from a variety ofangles, including medicaldefinitions, legal perspectives,and a historical overview.

But it is the personalstories, received fromcountless women who havesuffered from the disorder,that make Twomey’s book sounique. “When I first set outto write the book, I didn’tthink anyone would bewilling to share their story,”

Twomey explained.“It is such apersonal issue.But, when Ibegan toask for thestories,theybegan tocome infrom all ofthese

differentwomen. It was

incredible.”Twomey included 11different stories of women’sstruggles with postpartumpsychosis, including ninestories of recovery, one storyof suicide, and one story ofinfanticide. The stories,Twomey feels, bring apersonal touch and provide areal face to the issuesaffecting so many women. “Itis so important for people toknow that this (disorder)doesn’t make you a freak,”said Twomey.Postpartum psychosis remainsrare, affecting about one tocont. on page 12

Author Examines RareDisorder From PersonalPoint Of View

June 28, 2009by John Rook,Cheshire Herald, Chesire, CT

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The Office of Research on Women’sHealth (ORWH) (http://orwh.nih.gov) isupdating the women’s health researchagenda for the coming decade. Publicinput is being sought through four regionalscientific workshops and public hearingsduring 2009. The first was held in Marchat Washington University, School ofMedicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Thesecond was held in May at the University ofCalifornia, San Francisco. The third will befrom September 21-23 at Women andInfants Hospital/Brown University inProvidence, Rhode Island and the fourthfrom October 14-16 at NorthwesternUniversity, Feinberg School of Medicine,Chicago, Illinois.

Postpartum Support InternationalRepresented at NIH Public Hearing

PSI Founder Jane Honikman submitteda written testimony and presented orally atthe Public Hearing sponsored by the USgovernment’s Department of Health andHuman Services at the University ofCalifornia in San Francisco on May 27th.The conference was designed to promotean interactive discussion involving leadingscientists, women’s health advocates, publicpolicy experts, healthcare providers and thegeneral public. Working groups addresseda wide range of topics, including global

health, stem cell research, women’s healthand the environment, HIV/AIDS andwomen, information technology, andwomen in science and health. The purposeof this and the other regional meetings is toensure that the National Institutes ofHealth continue to support cutting edgewomen’s health research that is based uponthe most advanced techniques andmethodologies.

Brief History of the Office of Researchon Women’s Health

The Office of Research on Women’sHealth (ORWH) was established inSeptember 1990 in response tocongressional and advocacy concerns aboutthe systematic lack of inclusion of women(and minorities) in NIH-supported clinicalresearch trials, and concerns about medicaldecisions being made without the benefit ofknowledge derived from research thatincluded these populations. To advance arobust research agenda to guide women’shealth research at NIH, ORWH initiatedtwo intensive strategic planning initiativesin 1991 and in 1998. The report thatemerged from the first planning effortredefined the parameters of women’s healthto encompass research to better understandsex and gender differences between womenand men in development, health, and

disease. Women had been underrepresentedin clinical research in the past.

Updating the Women’s Health ResearchAgenda in the United States

The findings and recommendationsemerging from the four 2009 regionalmeetings will be synthesized into a finaldocument that will represent the strategicresearch priorities for women’s healthresearch for the coming decade and will beunveiled in September 2010 in time for the20th anniversary of ORWH at NIH.Additional information about ORWH’sstrategic planning process is available athttp://orwh.od.nih.gov

ORWH Outreach ActivitiesThe ORWH Podcast Series “Pinn Point

on Women’s Health”, features ORWHDirector Dr. Vivian W. Pinn inconversation with NIH scientists oncurrent women’s health topics. It includesone on postpartum depression.http://orwh.od.nih.gov

ORWH developed an OutreachNotebook for the Inclusion, Recruitmentand Retention of Women and MinoritySubjects in Clinical Research which isavailable at: orwh.od.nih.gov/inclusion/incloutreach.html

For more information, contact:Department of Health and Human ServicesOffice of Research on Women’s HealthNational Institutes of Health6707 Democracy Blvd., Suite 400Bethesda, MD 20892=5484Phone (301) 402-1770Fax (301) 402-1798

Moving Into the Future:New Dimensions and Strategies for Women’s HealthResearch for the National Institutes of Health

Rook cont. from page 11two women per 1,000 who give birth eachyear. Commonly, those suffering from thedisorder will experience a series of serioussymptoms including periods of extremeagitation, delusions, insomnia, and suicidaland homicidal thoughts. Most womanbegin to feel unusual within the first twoweeks after delivery, and 5 percent of thosesuffering resort to suicide while another 4percent commit infanticide.

It was in 1998, after Twomey had givenbirth to her first daughter, Arianna, that shebegan to experience the symptoms of

postpartum psychosis.”I didn’t know whatwas happening to me,” said Twomey. “Ithought I was going crazy and, in onerespect, I was.”

At one point, Twomey had ahallucination that she had killed herdaughter, and while she explained to familyand medical personnel alike that she“needed help,” little was done to actuallydiagnosis the disorder. At one point,Twomey expressed her concerns to herdoctor, explaining what she had beenexperiencing. Her doctor simply sent herfor a physical examination, running no

further tests. “They didn’t ask me one otherquestion, just performed the physicalexam,” said Twomey.

The thought of seeking additional helpalso seemed ominous to Twomey who,while suffering from paranoia—anothereffect of postpartum psychosis—feared that,if she explained in detail her feelings to aperson or a group, and then committed anact against her child, she could be chargedfor a pre-meditated crime.cont. on page 14

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We are pleased and proud that so many of ourmembers have recently been recognized for their workin helping promote the mission of PSI. Please join usin congratulating and celebrating these remarkableindividuals.

If you have received an honor, or know of anothermember who has, please let us know so we can sharethe good news!

HEROINE AWARD presented to PSI Founder JaneHonikman on April 23, 2009 “for being a midwife of hopefor women during pregnancy and after baby’s birth andbirthing new connections between women and communities.”Community Medical Centers and University of CaliforniaSan Francisco, Fresno 2nd Annual Perinatal Mood andAnxiety Disorders Conference

More than 250 Battle Creek Health System associates werehonored recently as part of the annual BCHS associaterecognition celebration. Polly Syc-Vega, a charge nurse in theBCHS Family Birth Center, received the BCHS 2008-2009ANNUAL OUTSTANDING RECOGNITION AWARD forher advocacy on behalf of patients dealing with postpartumdepression while others were honored for their years ofservice. She’s a PSI Michigan Coordinator.

PSI Armed Services Coordinator Kellie Haworth wasawarded OUTSTANDING YOUNG PEDIATRICIAN OF2009 for the Army given by the American Academy ofPediatrics, Uniformed Services Chapter East.

I am pleased to report that I have received an NIMHMENTORED PATIENT-ORIENTED RESEARCHCAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARD (1K23MH085007-01A1) for the project “Partner-Assisted Therapy for theTreatment of Depression During Pregnancy,” beginning June1, 2009 and continuing through May 31, 2012. Partner-Assisted Therapy (PAT) is a hybrid of two existing treatmentsfor depression, Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) whichincludes the partner as an active participant in eight acutepsychotherapy sessions during pregnancy and one postpartumrefresher session.

Anna R. Brandon, Ph.D.Assistant Professor, Women’s Mental Health CenterDepartment of Psychiatry, Behavioral SciencesDepartment of Clinical SciencesNIH Clinical Research ScholarNIH CTSA Grant UL1RR024982UTSouthwestern Medical Center at Dallas6363 Forest Park Rd., Ste 8.815Dallas, TX 75390-9086Ph: 214-648-0103Fx: 214-648-4612Mobile: 214-460-0420

11TH ANNUAL WELCOME BACK AWARDS honor PMDExpert Diana Lynn Barnes

Eli Lilly and Company established theWelcome BackAwards in 1998 to fight the stigma associated with depressionand to promote the understanding that depression is treatable.Each year, an independent panel of national mental healthleaders recognizes five individuals for their outstandingachievements, and Lilly awards donations ranging between$10,000 and $15,000 to the not-for-profit organization of eachwinner’s choice.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: Diana Lynn Barnes, Psy.D.,Tarzana, Calif. Awarded May 16 in San Francisco, California.Diana Lynn Barnes, Psy.D., is an internationally recognizedexpert on the assessment and treatment of perinatal mooddisorders who has used her own three-year struggle withpostpartum depression to help educate others through mediainterviews, speaking engagements and as an author. Inaddition to her private practice, she is a nationally knownforensic expert in women’s reproductive mental health andworks with defense counsels in cases of infanticide, pregnancydenial and neonaticide. She is a past president of PostpartumSupport International and continues to work with the group

2009 Eli Lilly Welcome Back Award winners Dr. Roy Menninger, Debra Wentz, Marian McCord,Dr. Diana Barnes and Bryce Mackie at the ceremony in June.

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to raise awareness of postpartum depression. In 2007, she wroteher first book “The Journey to Parenthood: Myths, Reality andWhat Really Matters.” Additionally, Dr. Barnes has beeninvolved with the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital inValencia, Calif. for the past two years to implement acomprehensive pregnancy and postpartum screening program.

Cheryl Tatano Beck Receives the 2009 DISTINGUISHEDPROFESSIONAL SERVICE AWARD

Washington, DC–The Association of Women’s Health,Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) today presented itshighest honor, the AWHONN Distinguished ProfessionalService Award to Cheryl Tatano Beck, BSN, MSN, CNM,DNSc, FAAN for her internationally renowned research andexpertise in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and herunparalleled dedication to improving the health of women andinfants. The award was presented at AWHONN’s annualconvention in San Diego, California.Dr. Beck, a Distinguished Professor at the University ofConnecticut School of Nursing, is a widely published expert onperinatal mood and anxiety disorders, with a special focus onpostpartum depression and post traumatic stress disorder as theyrelate to the birth experience. Additionally, Dr. Beck developed awidely used postpartum depression screening scale which hasbeen translated into 14 different languages.Dr. Beck’s numerous accomplishments include the 2006 AJNBook of the Year Award for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing,Postpartum Support International Outstanding ContributionAward, and AWHONN’s Award for Excellence in Research.“Cheryl Beck’s research and leadership in the arena of perinatalmood disorders has made an enormous impact on the emotionalhealth and well-being of women and newborns,” saidAWHONN Executive Director, Karen Peddicord, RNC, PhD.“It is my pleasure to honor her with AWHONN’s 2009Distinguished Professional Service Award.”Dr. Beck holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from WesternConnecticut State University; Certified Nurse-Midwife andMasters of Science degrees in Maternal-Newborn Nursing fromYale University; and her Doctor of Nursing Science from BostonUniversity.

Susan Dowd Stone receives GOLDEN BELL LEADERSHIPAWARD From the Mental Health Association in New Jersey .

On June 10, 2009, Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW washonored by our nation’s oldest mental health association. Theacknowledgement recognized her “excellence in promotingwomen’s reproductive mental health through advocacy,education and treatment”. In addition, Dowd Stone wasfeatured in NASW’s national publication in May “Social Workin the Public Eye” for her national advocacy for maternal mentalhealth. Earlier that month, she was invited by U.S. SenatorRobert Menendez to speak at a press conference regarding thislegislation along with PSI PAC members Mary Jo Codey and

Sylvia Lasalandra. Senator Menendez commented that “withoutthe efforts of Susan Stone, the legislation would not haveadvanced as far as it has”.

Dowd Stone was also interviewed along with PAC memberDr. Shoshana Bennett for Dr. William Thornton’s national radioprogram entitled “Natural Health”. The segment focused on thecontroversy surrounding The Melanie Blocker StokesMOTHERS Act and can be heard by going to this linkhttp://www.divshare.com/download/7494386-dee. Finally, NJNNews did a segment on postpartum depression following NewJersey’s state wide PPD conference where PAC Members CherylBeck, Meg Spinelli, Mary Jo Codey and Susan Stone werefeatured presenters. Susan and Mary Jo Codey were interviewedby Emmy award winning journalist Sarah Lee Kessler for thepowerful segment which you can see by visitinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w-itz_H89E.

Susan continues to maintain the national petition in supportof The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act on her websitewww.perinatalpro.com If you would like to add your name,please email susan at [email protected] sending yourname, state and any affiliation (and none is more importantthan MOTHER!. The petition will be maintained until thelegislation is passed.

Susan Dowd Stone will also be honored at the HudsonPerinatal Consortium’s annual meeting and awards ceremony onNovember 12th, 2009. Susan will be receiving ourCOMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AWARD because of her helpwith conference planning, presenting and advocacy on the Stateand National level for Perinatal Mood Disorders. The event withtake place at Liberty House Restaurant in historic Liberty StatePark. To purchase tickets for the event or to participate in the adjournal, please call Mariann Moore @ 201-876-2676 or [email protected]. (We are a member of PSI).

PSI MEMBERCROWNED MRS.OKLAHOMAINTERNATIONAL 2009

On Saturday night atthe Seretean Center inStillwater, Rachel Robertsof Tulsa was crowned Mrs.Oklahoma International2009 by her husband,Clint. Roberts willcompete for the title ofMrs. International on July17 and 18, at the NorthShore Performing ArtsCenter in Chicago, IL.

Roberts, the owner ofDouble R DanceCompany, wife and

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mother, will promote her platform ofPost Partum Depression Awarenessduring her year as Mrs. Oklahomaand if she should win theInternational crown. She wants toshare her story and journey with PostPartum Depression. “I was fortunateenough to recognize that I wasn’tfeeling myself after having mydaughter,” Roberts says.“I want to help other womenrecognize and overcome this illness.”She adds that she wants to spread theword that it’s okay and there is helpout there. “No one is alone and thereare supportive people who want tohelp.” As Mrs. Tulsa, Roberts hasspoken to mothers of all ages, mostrecently at the Margaret HudsonProgram for teenage mothers. She alsoappeared in the May 5 edition ofWoman’s Day Magazine in an articleabout post partum depression and hasworked diligently on helping to getthe MOTHERS act passed into law.Roberts will speak at the PerinatalMood and Anxiety DisordersComponents of Care Conference onMay 20 and 21 that will be simulcastthroughout the state of Oklahoma.

Roberts resides in Tulsa with herhusband of 6 years, Clint, and theirdaughter Madeline Grace. In her freetime, she enjoys performing,choreography, photography andspending time with her family.

The Mrs. Oklahoma Pageant is thepreliminary to the Mrs. InternationalPageant, which is held annually inChicago, IL. The Mrs. Internationalsystem was developed to promotetoday’s married women, theiraccomplishments, and commitment tofamily and marriage. Around theworld women are finding this systemto be the opportunity to work withtheir husband and family to becomepositive role models.

A successful two-day conferenceentitled PERINATAL MOOD &ANXIETY DISORDERS:COMPONENTS OF CARE, AnEssential Workshop for All Who Workwith Childbearing Women was held onMay 20—21, 2009. The conference washosted byOklahoma Healthy Mothers/HealthyBabies Coalition as their annualconference training at the University ofOklahoma’s College of Nursing inOklahoma City. Video conferencing wasprovided to additional sites in Tulsa andLawton, Oklahoma. The conference wasalso webcast.

PSI board member Pec Indman, EdD,MFT, PA, and PSI’s Midwest regionalcoordinator Meeka Centimano, LSCSW,were the conference presenters. Both haveserved on PSI’s Education andTraining/Curriculum Committee: Pec, thecurrent committee chair, has been teachingand creating curriculum and trainingmaterials for PSI since 1999.A former Family Practice Physician’sAssistant trained at Johns HopkinsUniversity, Pec has a Masters degree inhealth psychology and a Doctorate inCounseling. She is a psychotherapist

specializing in perinatal mental health andis the co-author of the book, Beyond theBlues, A Guide to Understanding andTreating Prenatal and PostpartumDepression.

Meeka is a therapist and consultantwho serves women and families withmental health related issues during thechildbearing years. She founded and nowserves as the Clinical Director for ThePostpartum Resource Center of Kansas—anon-profit organizations that providessocial support services to childbearingfamilies. She provides training across theState of Kansas and in other areas

throughout the country.PSI’s Oklahomacoordinator Sheryl Cozadworked with OklahomaHealthy Mothers/HealthyBabies director BonnieBellah for nine months toplan the conference,which was sponsored bythe Oklahoma StateDepartment of MentalHealth & SubstanceAbuse Services, theOklahoma Healthcare

Authority (which administers the state’sMedicaid program), the Innovation Centerwhich provided funding for the presenters,the Oklahoma Nurses Association whichprovided CEU credits, the University ofOklahoma College of Nursing, and theOklahoma Infant Mental HealthAssociation. Oklahoma HealthyMothers/Healthy Babies Coalition is anagency within the Oklahoma Institute forChild Advocacy and a part of the nationalHealthy Mothers/Healthy Babiesorganization.

More than one hundred therapists,nurses, social workers, and case managersattended the two-day conference. One ofthe conference highlights was a lunch-timepresentation on the first day by PSImember Rachel Roberts, who holds thetitle of Mrs. Oklahoma International.Rachel’s title platform is awareness of PPDand other PMD’s. She spoke about herown struggle with and recovery frompostpartum depression as well as heradvocacy activities in bringing awarenessto Oklahomans about this debilitatingillness. On July 18, Rachel will betraveling to Chicago to compete for theinternational title and meet with Mothers

OklahomaConferenceMay 20—21, 2009PERINATAL MOOD &ANXIETY DISORDERS:COMPONENTS OF CARE,An Essential Workshop forAll Who Work withChildbearing Women

Ann Salazar (Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy KIDS COUNT Coordinator),Bonnie Bellah (OK Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies director) with conference

presenter Pec Indman.

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Act advocates. To read more aboutRachel’s mission, her web address iswww. rachelrobertstulsa.com.

Rachel may be contacted atrachel [email protected]

“This conference represents theculmination of many years ofconsciousness-raising andnetworking,” says PSI’s Oklahomacoordinator Sheryl Cozad, whoseclose friend and former co-coordinator Cheryl Jazzar drove infor the conference from Georgia.“It was especially delightful thatmany of the people we have workedwith since the mid-90’s were in

attendance to share this wonderfulexperience with us. We are pleasedto welcome them and many newmembers into our stateorganization. This conference willdo a great deal to help expand ourreferral network and assist severalagencies in providing services tosuffering families in our state whoare in great need.”

For more information aboutthe conference or any of thesponsoring agencies, contactSheryl Cozad at [email protected] (405)360-0087.

The Oregon State Legislature has passed abill creating a statewide maternal mental healthworkgroup within Department of HumanServices. For the purpose of this bill, “maternalmental health” was defined as the periodencompassing pregnancy through one year afterdelivery.

The workgroup will include representativesfrom early childhood and maternal care providers,mental health, obstetrics, and public health, PSImembers, and will address vulnerable populationsacross the state. It will report back to thelegislature after a year, making recommendationsfor programs, tools, and funding sources toinitiate needed projects.

Oregon State Representative Carolyn Tomeiintroduced the bill after asking severalcommunity members to study other states andwrite some effective legislation with little fiscalimpact. The legislation was written by acommittee with representatives from PSI, publichealth, perinatal healthcare, early childhoodproviders, and mental health clinicians.Testimony at the Capitol came from a diverse andpassionate group of professionals and survivors,including PSI Coordinators Csilla Andor, Amy-Rose White, and Wendy Davis.

In this year of limited funding, passage of thisbill was made possible because the OregonDepartment of Human Services decided toincorporate the workgroup into current programsat the Office of Family Health, thus removing anyfiscal impact. This collaboration is exciting andinvaluable, and comes after many years ofoutreach and dialogue between PSI members,public health, hospitals, social support andcommunity organizations in Oregon.

For more information, contact Wendy Davis [email protected] or 503-246-0941

Rook cont. from page 12“It was backwards thinking

because I would sacrifice myself formy children, like any mother, but, atthe time, those are the things I wasthinking about,” she said.

Gradually, Twomey recoveredfrom the psychosis, though she didthen suffer from postpartumdepression, and, within a short timeshe was once again pregnant, thistime with twins.

Twomey feared a relapse andbegan to research as much aspossible about postpartum psychosis,learning about the history andpossible prevention. ThoughTwomey was fine after the birth ofher twins, her desire to learn aboutthe psychosis with which she hadsuffered, and to help those sufferingas well, only blossomed.

She began working as acoordinator for Postpartum SupportInternational (PSI) while living inVirginia, helping women sufferingfrom mood disorders associated withbirth, and, after Texas motherAndrea Yates murdered her childrenin 2001, she decided it was timemore was done to educate thegeneral public. “I thought, ‘Someonereally needs to write a book aboutthis,’” Twomey remembered. “Ithought it was important.”

The book is only one part of hermission to educate the public andhelp women who have suffered or

are suffering from the disorder.Twomey is one of only two PSIcoordinators here in Connecticut,fielding calls from women nervousabout everything from prevention towhether or not the symptoms couldreoccur. Also, Twomey is hoping topromote more acceptance within themedical community, with theultimate goal to have help groups atevery hospital focused on assistingwomen to deal with any issuesassociated with delivery.

And, of course, Twomeycontinues to write, with two newbooks in the works, including onethat will center on how women canbetter care for themselves whilepregnant — something that couldhelp prevent the onset ofpostpartum psychosis.

But, for now, Twomey willcontinue to offer her support,through her position as acoordinator and through her book,for those who suffer from the samedisorder that affected her life.

“The more informed the familyand the person are, the better chancethere is that they will receive help,”said Twomey.

Anyone who has informationregarding resources for postpartumpsychosis, or who needsinformation, may contact Twomeyat [email protected] with permission from TheCheshire Herald, Cheshire,

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