Postpartum Depression
Research and Care Act

What can you do???

To ensure that hearings are scheduled on H.R. 846 - Melanie Stokes Pospartum Depression Research Care Act?

Please feel free to use our letter to Congressman Bilirakis below!

Legislative Alert

Urge Congressman Bilirakis to schedule hearings on

H.R. 846 -Melanie Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act

Congressman Bobby Rush (D) Illinois authored a bill, H.R. 846 that provides for research on and services for individuals with postpartum depression and psychosis.  The bill was named for Chicago-native Mrs. Melanie Blocker who after the birth of her first child began to suffer from the mood disorder known as postpartum psychosis.  Despite a valiant fight against the disorder, Melanie jumped to her death from a 12-story window ledge four months later.  

PROBLEM

Sixty to 80% of women who have recently given birth experience symptoms of postpartum blues.  Postpartum depression, which is more serious than postpartum blues, afflicts up to 20% of new mothers, with symptoms such as despondency, tearfulness, intense feelings of inadequacy, guilt and fatigue.  Postpartum psychosis, which is more extreme, is found in less than 1% of all new mothers.  It has symptoms such as auditory hallucinations, hyperactivity and delusions. 

 SOLUTION

 H.R. 846 helps to address this problem.  The bill has two major provisions.

 

• Expand and intensity research at the National Institute of Health and National Institute of Mental Health with respect to postpartum depression and psychosis, including increased discovery of treatments, diagnostic tools and educational materials for providers;

 

• Provide grants for the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum depression and psychosis and their families, including enhanced outpatient and home-based health care, inpatient care and support services. Recipients of the grants include, state and local governments, public or non-profit hospitals and community based organizations.

 

ACTION NEEDED:

 CALL or WRITE

Congressman Mike Bilirakis (R) Florida, Chairman of the Health Subcommittee of the Energy & Commerce Committee.  2269 Rayburn House Office Building,    Washington, DC 20515, 202-225-5755  

Congressman Billy Tauzin  (R) Louisiana, Chairman, Energy & Commerce Committee.2183 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515 202-225-4031  

 

Tell the Congressman:

1. Please schedule hearings on H.R. 846 immediately
2. Postpartum mood disorders cause a serious and debilitating effect on new mothers and their families
3. Postpartum depression can affect any new mother.
4. This bill has bi-partisan support with 125 cosponsors

 For more information, please call the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition at 312-491-8161.

A Letter to Congressman Bilirakis

If you are moved to send Congressman Bilirakis a letter in support of the Melanie Stokes bill. Please feel free to copy and paste the following letter onto a document on your computer for use as a basis for your letter of support! Thank you!

Congressman Mike Bilirakis
Chairman of the Health Subcommittee of the Energy & Commerce Committee
2269 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
 
Dear Congressman Bilirakis
I am writing you today to urge your support of H.R 846 – the Melanie Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act and respectfully request that hearings on this bill be scheduled immediately. Sixty to 80% of new mothers experience symptoms of postpartum blues while the more serious condition postpartum depression affects up to 20% of women who have recently given birth. The most extreme form, postpartum psychosis, is exhibited in about 1% of all new mothers. At what should be the happiest time in a woman’s life these mood disorders result in feelings of despondency, tearfulness, intense feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and fatigue. In the worst case scenario, if left untreated or not treated properly, postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis has resulted in suicide and infanticide.
Postpartum depression can affect any new mother. Although there are factors that place some women at higher risk than others to suffer from this illness, it hits all types of women regardless of age, intelligence, stability, education or income level.
H.R. 846 helps to address these problems by providing for the expansion and intensification of research into postpartum depression and psychosis at the National Institute of Health and the National Institute of Mental Health. It also seeks to provide grants for the delivery of essential services and support to women suffering from postpartum depression/psychosis and their families.
Many of us have been touched by postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis. We have either experienced this ourselves, know someone who has, or have lost a loved one to it as Melanie Stokes’ mother did.
By writing to you today I am asking for your support of H.R 846 – the Melanie Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act and request that hearings for this very important bill be scheduled immediately.
 
Sincerely,
 

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