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Pregnant Pause
January 12, 2012 Issue #11
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Because there is no health without Mental Health! |
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A happy, healthy new year to you from Project Healthy Moms and MHA of Georgia! We are looking forward to a busy and productive 2012.
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POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL RELEASES SPANISH LANGUAGE EDUCATIONAL DVD
According to Postpartum Support International (PSI), over 30% of Latina women
suffer from a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder (PMAD), and rates are continuing to rise. Despite the statistics that Latina women are more likely to experience perinatal depression, a 2005 study also found that they are also less likely to be diagnosed by their healthcare provider. These numbers indicate that much support and outreach is needed in the Hispanic/Latino community.
In an effort to work towards providing more resources for Latina mothers who may be experiencing a PMAD, PSI has released a Spanish language DVD for hospitals and healthcare agencies around the United States. Dr. Puryear, president of PSI, said in an interview that "...by offering an educational tool useful across cultural healthcare platforms, our hope is that Spanish-speaking women who are pregnant and postpartum will feel encouraged to reach out and will have access to appropriate treatment. When a woman is able to become adequately informed, screened or treated for maternal depression, not only is her individual suffering alleviated but the chances for positive outcomes for her baby and entire family are greatly improved."
To read the press-release, click here. To visit PSI's website, please click here.
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KATHERINE STONE RELEASES LIST OF TOP 20 WRITERS ON PMADS FOR 2011
Katherine Stone, author of the world's most widely read blog on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and a consultant for Project Healthy Moms, has released her top 20 writers on PMADs for 2011. Each author included on this list writes insightful entries about her experiences and battles with PMADs and gives hope to those who read the blog. Among the top 20 is Amber Koter-Puline, a current volunteer consultant with Project Healthy Moms, and her blog Beyond Postpartum.
To see Katherine's list of 2011's incredible and inspirational writers on PMADs, please click here to go to her blog, Postpartum Progress.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Recent questions about the "bonding hormone" oxytocin have led researchers to hypothesize that oxytocin may help protect children from some of the negative effects of maternal depression. To read more, click here.
Partner abuse can be linked to the development of postpartum depression. A recent study found that women who suffered emotional abuse were three times more likely to develop postpartum depression. To read more, click here.
Women with pre-existing hypertension before pregnancy have a higher risk of developing postpartum depression than those who develop high blood pressure during their pregnancy. To read more, click here.
A recently published study determined that older, first-time moms are not at higher risk of suffering from postpartum depression. This research contradicts previous speculations on the subject. To read more, click here.
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EMORY WOMEN'S MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
Since its founding in 1991 by Dr. Zachary Stowe, the Emory Women's Mental Health Program has has been an incredible resource for Georgia women. The program's main focus is the treatment of emotional disorders during and after pregnancy, and through its clinical work and research efforts, it has become an essential resource for pregnant and postpartum women. Recently, Dr. Jeffery Newport has become the new Director of the Women's Mental Health Program, and exciting projects are beginning to take shape under his direction.
As part of the program's changes, a new and improved website has been released. The new website outlines the program's initiatives clearly, and there is now an informative blog in which their recent research studies are highlighted and information can easily be found about their publications.
To visit the Emory Women's Mental Health Program's new website, please go to www.womensmentalhealth.emory.edu.
If you are interested in becoming a new patient, please visit the site's section for new patients at womensmentalhealth.emory.edu/New%20Patients/index.html.
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PROJECT HEALTHY MOMS WARMLINE
The Project Healthy Moms Warmline is available to  ALL Georgia women seeking peer support for perinatal mood disorders! Georgia women can phone in to the toll-free Project Healthy Moms Warmline at 1-800-933-9896 (x234), call the local Georgia number at 678-904-1966, or email PHMhelp@mhageorgia.org to contact a survivor of PMD who can provide emotional support and suggest appropriate resources. Please leave a message when you call the Warmline, and a support person will respond as soon as possible. It does get better!
Toll Free: 1800-933-9896
Local: 678-904-1966
Email: PHMhelp@mhageorgia.org
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WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
Project Healthy Moms is an important initiative of MHA of Georgia. Perinatal mood disorders are the most common complication of childbirth. In the United States, between 10% and 15% of new mothers suffer from these devastating illnesses which, if not properly treated, can have a long-term negative impact on the health of not only the mothers, but their children and families as well. Our goal is to increase awareness, identification, treatment, and support of perinatal mood disorders in Georgia, while also reducing the stigma associated with them. To learn more about Project Healthy Moms, click here.
Project Healthy Moms is only one of many programs developed by MHA of Georgia to further our mission of enhancing the mental health of all Georgians through education, outreach, and advocacy. Click here to learn more about MHA of Georgia's other programs. Your support will help us continue our work educating Georgians about mental illness, striving to eliminate stigma, and advocating on behalf of people with mental illness in our state. Click here to support MHA of Georgia.
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THANKS TO
SPONSOR OF PREGNANT PAUSE |
