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Pregnant Pause                        


July 26, 2012                                                                                                            
Issue #17
Because there is no health without Mental Health!

NEW ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP FOR MOMS

 

Regroup Therapy provides online video support groups for pregnant and postpartum women to promote maternal mental health. Each group is moderated by a licensed and experienced therapist. Beginning in August, there will be one group weekly with an introductory price of $20 per person per session. If a woman signs up more than 7 days in advance, the price is reduced by 25% ($5). Within a few months, Regroup Therapy plans to have 3 groups every week, and eventually have 2 to 3 groups every day, 7 days a week.

 

Visit the Regroup Therapy website and learn more here 

NEW RESEARCH STUDY FOR MOTHERS WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES

 

The Temple University Collaborative is conducting a research study to examine the effectiveness of an online parenting education and social support program for mothers who have a psychiatric disability. The online parental education is designed to help women enhance their skills in areas such as illness management and stress reduction. The internet social support program is co-moderated by a parent with a psychiatric disability and a mental health professional, and is accessible online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Learn more about participating in the study here

DID YOU KNOW?

 

The NIH has put out calls for research proposals for women's mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Applications can be submitted between September 5, 2012 and May 8, 2015.

Find out more information and access the grant application here

 

 A recent research study suggests that brain changes in postpartum depression may differ from those in major depression. In this study, levels of a brain chemical called glutamate were found to be higher among women with postpartum depression compared to those without it. Previous studies have shown that glutamate levels are decreased in people with major depression, although the researchers say the literature is mixed. These new findings could have implications for how postpartum depression is treated.

Read more about the study here

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VIOLENCE AND POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

 

Findings from a cross sectional study of Chilean postpartum women showed a relationship between violence and postpartum depression. The women were at least two weeks postpartum and attending primary care clinics. 64% of the women reported a history of violence; of those women, 44% reported ongoing abuse during pregnancy. Women who experienced violence were more likely to screen positive for elevated symptoms of postpartum depression compared to women who had not experienced violence. Other factors explored in this study include social support, smoking, and number of pregnancies. The authors conclude that the strong association between violence and postpartum depression warrants routine screening of history of violence during the prenatal and postpartum periods in order to determine the risk for postpartum depression.

 

Access the article here

PROJECT HEALTHY MOMS WARMLINE AVAILABLE TO ALL GEORGIA WOMEN

 

The Project Healthy Moms Warmline is available to ALL Georgia women seeking peer support and resource linkage for perinatal mood and anxiety 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 [email protected] to contact a survivor of a PMAD 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: [email protected] 

 

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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