In reference to recent posts about a website referencing the PPD bill before Congress, PSI has issued this statement of clarification (below).  I thought it might be helpful to read what is actually going on.                       


Peggy Healy, MS, IBCLC, RLC

The Art of Breastfeeding, Inc.

www.artofbreastfeeding.com

773-420-7534








It has come to 
the attention of PSI that misinformation about the The 
Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, due for a mark up in the Senate 
H.E.L.P. committee on February 27th  and its lead sponsor, Postpartum Support 
International is being aggressively circulated on the web.  This bulletin suggests protest against 
the bill’s adoption on false belief and implies that PSI’s interest in the 
legislation emanates from its funding by pharmaceuticals. These assertions 
indicate the bulletin’s authors have neither read nor understood the legislation 
nor sought verification of PSI’s funding sources which are available to the 
public. The following is true:


 1. Postpartum Support 
International is not, nor has it ever been, funded by pharmaceuticals. Our 
funding comes from private donations, memberships and our own fundraising 
efforts.  It appears our fine 
organization was mischaracterized without any attempt to verify this false 
assertion.


            
 2. The Melanie Blocker Stokes 
MOTHERS Act does not mandate screening, the use 
of medications, or any other form of involuntary or coercive engagement in 
unwanted services for perinatal mood disorders.


            
3. Melanie Blocker Stokes leapt to 
her death as a result of postpartum psychosis which was not promptly diagnosed 
and treated. Her mother, Carol Blocker has devoted her life to the passage of 
this protective legislation named for her daughter. Her death was not the result 
of medication misuse.


            
4. To further clarify and summarize, 
the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act:


Encourages HHS to coordinate and continue 
research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find treatments for, 
postpartum conditions. Also, encourages a National Public Awareness Campaign, to 
be administered by HHS, to increase awareness and knowledge of postpartum 
depression and psychosis.


Encourages HHS to make grants available 
for projects for the establishment, operation and coordination of systems for 
the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum 
depression.
It 
is most unfortunate that any organization would attempt to dissuade public 
support of critical legislation by circulating erroneous information about the 
bill’s contents and intent. Please call/visit PSI’s website at www.postpartum.net 
 to read the legislation or submit any questions. 

 


 


Susan Dowd Stone, MSW, LCSW
President, Postpartum 
Support International
NJHSS Certified Perinatal Mood Disorders 
Instructor
Adjunct Lecturer, Silver School of Social Work
New York 
University
www.postpartum.net
201-567-5596
[log in to unmask]

 




 














 


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