May 21, 2008

Farewell Address

Greetings and farewell from PSI President Susan Dowd Stone

Dear PSI members, visitors and associates:

After three wonderfully intense years as PSI’s conference chair and president, I will be leaving the board following our June conference in Houston. My decision to leave is based on furthering and sustaining opportunities associated with our mission through clinical work, research, legislative advocacy, consulting, teaching and writing.  PSI’s Executive Board has moved that retiring PSI presidents will migrate to chair the President’s Advisory Council. This progression will ensure continuity of direction and maintain important national connections. I look forward to working with the President’s Advisory Council in this capacity and strengthening the ties of this talented group to PSI’s Executive board.

Please join me in thanking Sylvia Lasalandra for her able leadership of the PAC throughout the past year. Sylvia’s fundraising efforts, along with her event co-chair and PAC member Mary Jo Codey, are responsible for bringing more individual cash contributions to PSI than at any other time in its history! Sylvia donated countless copies of her book, A Daughter’s Touch to PSI and PPD events, and used many media opportunities to promote PSI’s mission.  She was persistently recruited to join PSI’s board, but has chosen to remain as the fundraising chair on the President’s Advisory Council. We are so lucky to retain her talents!

Other Executive Board members announcing their departure are Claire van Blaricum, PSI’s Chairman of the board without whose guidance PSI’s administrative growth would not have come so far, Kathy Piasecki, who has worked as treasurer, website chair and other demanding roles critical to PSI’s forward movement, and Helen Jones, PSI’s secretary who will move her considerable expertise as a professor to work on PSI’s curriculum committee.

The PSI Executive Board welcomes new board members Pec Indman, co author of Beyond the Blues whose work in training will lend strong support to her role as Chair of PSI’s Curriculum Development Committee, and Dr. Ruta Nonacs, nationally known PPD expert/author/psychiatrist who instructs at Harvard Medical School and is the Associate Director of the Center for women’s Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital. There are still specific openings on PSI’s board including website chair and fundraising chair (with grantwriting experience). If you are interested, please contact Linda Klempner for more details.

The last three years have brought rapid growth to PSI’s organizational structure, financial health, name recognition, national advocacy, extension of mission and programs, and additional dedicated volunteers to our fantastic coordinator base. We have come a long way - yet - opportunities and challenges continue to present at rapid fire pace. Opportunities to further our mission, finally pass federal legislation protective to women and families and extend our message of hope beyond borders; and challenges to manage the growth necessary to advance mission fulfillment and continuing development of strategic relationships with other national stakeholders.

Education of health care providers and consumers is an important focus going forward and PSI is well prepared to lead the way. President-elect Birdie Meyer, along with her curriculum committee has been working on PSI trainings for many years. At this year’s PSI’s conference in Houston, and subsequently across the country, PSI’s beginning through advanced trainings will be available to communities, facilities and agencies. Receiving a PSI certificate of completion from PSI’s trainings will immediately identify you as someone devoted to the furthering of professional standards within this specialty. Whether you are a healthcare provider or peer support group leader - your completion of these trainings will help set a national benchmark for minimum educational credentials to declare a practice specialty or offer a community based support group. Birdie’s talents and expertise make her succession to president a most seamless and timely transfer of leadership. Please join me in welcoming her and offering her your support when she assumes this role on June 8th.

It has been a most memorable and life-changing experience leading this organization and working with all of you. The passion of women and advocates devoted to this cause is an incredibly powerful force which has mightily advanced in momentum and purpose. The many inspirational stories and unforgettable encounters I have been so privileged to experience will stay with me forever. Thank you for the generous support and warmth you have shown to me, to each other and those we serve. The strength of this unifying mission speaks to the universality of the motherhood experience which has no boundaries, politics or agenda other than the health of civilizations most critical dyad of mother and child.

Warmly,

Susan

May 12, 2008

Congratulations to Conference Co-chairs Deborah Sorenson and Sherry Duson!

It is their hard work and strong local affiliations which has brought this historic financial support to PSI’s conference!

This support represents the largest lump sum financial investment PSI has ever received from any single entity. The money is to be designated entirely for conference expenses. The Texas Children’s Hospital was presented with many options for supporting this year’s conference, but Deborah tells me they were particularly interested in providing local scholarships to the conference and underwriting travel expenses for speakers. This is a fantastic use of funds which will help area professionals and consumers learn what they need to know - and what is new - about our issue! And the support will allow this year’s conference committee to offer some financial support to the speakers who so generously agreed to present - and pay their own registrations - just to share their knowledge with our participants.

The partnership with Texas Children’s Hospital creates a fine collaboration as they are building a new Maternity Center that will be located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston next year. Deborah Sorenson and Sherry Duson have both been involved with TCH Maternity Center leadership as advocates for maternal mental health as an important program inclusion for healthy mother/baby outcomes. Deborah and Sherry believe this contribution further underscores the TCH commitment to this mission and to their specialty in children’s healthcare. By building mental health services in their maternity center, TCH will be the first such facility in Houston (and perhaps, in all of Texas) to do so. TCH is a well respected facility with great community support. Offering conference scholarship will help bring those who most need to learn about our issue to the conference, our annual networking banquet and create additional local and national momentum for PSI’s most important annual event.

Please join me in congratulating Deborah and Sherry on this huge achievement!!

ONLINE REGISTRATION is now up and running and early bird discounts are available until the end of this week. We have sold out half of our available registration currently at 150, and encourage you to come to Houston! We have two tracks this year, several advanced offerings for clinicians and social support attendees and a program which includes speakers involved in the most innovative programs and services in our country! Dr. Margaret Howard will present the unique programs of the Women and Infants Hospital - our nation’s only facility which admits infants with their mothers who need inpatient care. We hope to see this program replicated across the country. George Parnham, Andrea Yates attorney, will speak about the legal recourse of women suffering from perinatal mood disorders who enter the criminal justice system, and Valerie Plame Wilson, our banquet keynote speaker, will talk about her own experiences with postpartum depression. These and other equally compelling presentations make this conference truly novel in its offerings and timely in its delivery of this information. Please see the conference brochure (available on PSI’s website) for other excellent presentations/speakers.

Hoping to see all of you there!!

Warmly, Susan

May 3, 2008

WISCONSIN STATE CO-COORDINATOR: HADLEY BAY

414-446-8964

May 2, 2008

Greetings to our members and supporters

This month, we are quite literally hitting the ground running with a 5K walk in Rhode Island Stepping out of the Darkness to benefit the Women and Infants Day Hospital in Providence Rhode Island. This event will be held Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at 10:00 AM in Slater Memorial Park Pawtucket, Rhode Island. For more information, contact Sarah Robinson at 401.383.3374. Postpartum Support International is a proud sponsor of this event which will help to raise funds for the innovative and stellar services offered to women at this unique facility directed by Margaret Howard, MD (who will speak at PSI’s conference next month). We hope this facility will become THE model for best practices in women/infant care for those combating affective disorders during and after pregnancy across our country. If you are within a few hours of the race join us! I’ll be driving up from New Jersey to participate in this exciting event and support this great event.

On Friday, May 9th, Congressman Bobby L. Rush and PSI PAC member Carol Blocker will be honored at a luncheon called Treating Moms Well, a Mother’s Day luncheon at the East Bank Club from 1 - 3 PM in Chicago, IL. Others to be honored are Illinois State Senator Don Harmon and Mary Howorth for their leadership in sponsoring and supporting the PPD legislation. For information or to purchase tickets go to www.treatingmomswell.org. I am looking forward to attending along with PAC Member Joan Mudd. If you are in the area, please join us to honor the advocates who are making a difference and who have stayed the course with steadfast dedication for over a decade to move this legislation forward.

Speaking of the legislation, if you haven’t already done so, PLEASE SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION IN SUPPORT OF THE MELANIE BLOCKER STOKES MOTHERS ACT! In less than two weeks, we have reached 14,000 signatures and we expect that number to double, triple or quadruple by the end of May. Many thanks to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance for creating this online petition which allows you to click and send! Rather than reinvent the wheel, we are all linking to their petition so we can coordinate and keep track of its progress. Major shout out to Gloria Pope for developing this project and keeping us informed of the numbers (and which states are garnering the most signatures)! Currently every state in the union is represented! Once again the bloggers have been phenomenal in getting the word out there - talk about dedication! PSI Coordinators and PAC members have been forwarding the petition to institutions, colleagues and posting it on their blogs and websites. Please forward the link to anyone and everyone you know and remember, the support of men, partners and related organizations - including child welfare - also have a huge stake in seeing this legislation through. Please go to our legislative update section to be counted today!

On Wednesday, May 14th, New Jersey will sponsor its first ever state-wide PPD conference, a cooperative effort among the five New Jersey Consortia who have been implementing the initiatives in New Jersey’s ground breaking postpartum legislation for the last several years. A grant obtained from the New Jersey Department of HSS through New Jersey’s “Speak Up When You’re Down” campaign initiated by Mary Jo Codey, helped underwrite the conference. The roster of speakers will include yours truly, Dr. Margaret Spinelli, Dr. Jeanne Watson-Driscoll, Dr. Barbara Ostfeld and a panel of PPD advocates and survivors including Former New Jersey First Lady Mary Jo Codey, Sylvia Lasalandra Frodella, her husband Michael, Consuelo Bonillas and Michael Barmak. State Senate President and Former NJ Governor Richard Codey has been invited to present closing remarks. To date there are over 200 registered, so if you are in the tri-state area and wish to attend, please visit www.hudsonperinatal.org for further information.

Finally PSI’s 22nd Annual Conference, Maternal Mental Health, A Multisystemic View, will take place in Houston, Texas from June 4 - 7, 2008 at the Hilton Americas Hotel. Co-sponsored by The Woman’s Mental Health Initiative of Mental Health America of Greater Houston, you can download the brochure and registration form here on PSI’s website. Valerie Plame Wilson and George Parnham will be keynote speakers at the Friday evening banquet and silent auction. The roster of speakers is exceptional and for the first time, we are offering advanced tracks for both social support and clinical treatment. Online registration will be available within a week in time to still get that early bird discount! Don’t miss the opportunity to network with others dedicated to the promotion and education of our issue and bring home new ideas to implement in your own communities. Hope to see you all at one of these great spring events!

Warmly, Susan

April 8, 2008

Greetings to PSI members and visitors

Spring brings some excellent opportunities to participate in events promoting awareness and education of our issue. If you haven’t already done so, please visit the button on PSI’s homepage entitled “National and Worldwide Events” to find such listings.

Foremost among these is PSI’s annual conference Maternal Mental Health: A Multisystemic View to be held in Houston, Texas from June 4 – 7th. Registration is open now, with Early Bird discounts available through May 1st. Register NOW to take advantage of reduced rates and ensure attendance at the sessions of your choice. Offering several tracks responsive to the varied needs of conference participants, this year’s event is our most ambitious yet with new preconference educational opportunities.

Continuing education is essential for those who wish to offer professional or support services to mothers in the perinatal period. The most seasoned clinician or most well meaning social support advocate needs refresher courses and updated info to ensure offering efficacious interventions for mothers and their families. And consumers need to know what’s available and how to select the right support when considering treatment options. Judicious selection of a recovery team can hasten a return to self and more joyous mothering.

With continuing emphasis on consumer education and the responsibility of practitioners to adopt treatment protocols efficaciously responsive to presenting issues, it is essential to receive training in this specialty to receive referrals. Increasingly private and public funders—and even insurers—are correctly insisting on educational benchmarks and measurable outcomes when evaluating the effectiveness of programs and services in which they may invest/reimburse. PSI is rising to this challenge by creating a national standard of training for those wishing to pursue this specialty.

PSI’s preconference program awards participants with a certificate of completion indicating they have received training of the highest standards, based on the most recent research and treatment protocols. This is true not only of clinical work, but for those wishing to initiate a community based support group. Consistency and compliance with high standards are critical to any endeavor seeking to offer support and treatment to mothers and their families during this time of crisis.

Each time one of our colleagues presents new research, writes an autobiography of their struggles with perinatal mood disorders, offers an artistic expression of their journey through motherhood and what best supported their recovery, or compiles a new clinical or social support guide, I always find these unique perspectives to be profoundly valuable and deepening of my own knowledge and connection to those we serve. PSI has made it part of our mission to review these submissions and incorporate the best into our certificate training programs. We hope you will avail yourselves of these great educational opportunities and keep our network strongly committed to excellence.

Hoping to see many of you in Houston!

Warmly,

Susan

March 2, 2008

Greetings to PSI members, visitors and friends

While we hopefully await positive action from our nation’s legislators on The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, questions arise. Some have wondered why we need a federal bill in place when we have so many well known advocates, researchers and organizations devoted to ending the stigma and ignorance long associated with pregnancy related mood disorders. Hasn’t it gotten enough attention these past three years? With all the media, famous and well respected women speaking out on this issue, the growing science and research substantiating the seriousness of untreated maternal depression - aren’t we done? Aren’t many thousands more people now aware of postpartum depression, thanks to public service announcements, bloggers, conferences, community awareness, state’s responses and organizations like PSI? And aren’t there now more services and treatment options available for these mothers as they face what is often the fight of their life? With an infant along whose fate may be equally determined by the Russian Roulette of maternal mental health services?

It’s true we now have two states out of 50 with legislation on the books strongly encouraging screening, education and services for their mothers. Many others are developing programs thanks to the tireless efforts of grassroots organizations and organizers who have decided that lives will not be destroyed on their watch by the devastation of untreated maternal depression and the lack of appropriate federal response. We now have one or maybe two hospitals in the whole country where women can seek treatment with their infants and avoid the damaging and often unnecessary separations from their children while they recover together.

Considering the seriousness and incidence of pregnancy related mood disorders, our national response is not only inadequate… it’s abysmal. There is a long list of illnesses which appear less frequently among the American population, but which generate unquestioned societal, legislative and healthcare response. Treatments, education and resources which can be accessed by ALL Americans are quickly put in place, not just for the lucky few who know the right doctor and have the resources to continue treatment until a full recovery, but for all citizens. The difference is the stigma of mental illness.

Considering the dearth of life saving response to women and children battling perinatal mood disorders, one can legitimately ask, how much does our nation care about the welfare of its most critical social dyad of mother and child? Research continues to point to early brain development in the neonate as exquisitely sensitive to its environment - an environment whose quality largely depends on the health and abilities of its mother. In no other illness is the fate and future health of one so closely tied to the present health and abilities of another. So we can pretty much double the number of those directly affected by pregnancy related mood disorders without argument, and go from there to include women who have suffered miscarriages and stillbirths - and so the numbers will continue to rise.

Perhaps with further research and when the social tally finally translates into economic loss, reduction in workforce, time off from work, expensive and prolonged mental health services provided to families AFTER the fact when primary prevention was possible… maybe then the hesitation will disappear and our nation’s mothers will receive the attention needed to permanently end truly needless suffering.

Lamentably, some organizations and individuals have issued false claims about the bill’s intent as coercing women into taking unwanted medications or services or even questioning the funding of PSI as its lead endorser. Neither is true. For the record, the bill has no such mandates and PSI does not receive ONE DIME from pharmaceuticals - never has. One can only wonder why there would be any objection to federal encouragement and support for the research, education and services needed to end the loss of lives and incalculable suffering of new mothers and their infants. Federal support means everyone is on notice to get up to speed. Federal support means the services are available to the many, not just the few. And federal support and acknowledgement means the beginning of the end of stigma.

Mothers can come forward and be treated with the dignity and respect extended to every cancer patient and heart disease victim. And the list could go on and on. But while we wait, more lives are lost. Bills are passed for new roads, while mothers needlessly lose themselves to undiagnosed and untreated illness. Bills are passed for bicycle helmets, while the partners of these women despair in a desperate search for help. Bills are passed for mortgage relief and campaign finance reform while babies cry alone.

Every member of the Senate H.E.L.P. committee has his or her stake in this issue now. We will soon know where they stand.

May 20, 2007

Welcome PSI Members and Visitors

The spring has brought several historic moments to the life of our issue and to PSI’s advocacy involvement in its promotion:

On May 2nd, a Congressional hearing was held by Congressman Bobby L. Rush on The Melanie Blocker Stokes Research and Care Act. Several co-sponsors attended this hearing where testimony was given by Dr. Nada Stotland, Dr. Kathy Rocca, Carol Blocker, PSI President’s Advisory Council Member and Former N. J. First Lady Mary Jo Codey and others. The bill now has over 119 co-sponsors and seems destined for passage. The momentum is clearly in our favor. Attempts to sidetrack the bill’s progress with calls for inclusion of research for post abortion depression were presented; we hope such discussions will not delay progress of the primary bill through Congress.

On May 11th, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez held a Capitol Hill press conference with Congressman Bobby L. Rush to support passage of bothThe MOTHER’s Act and the Melanie Blocker Stokes Research and Care Act. Both legislators gave compelling testimony and overview of the legislation’s history and urgency. Senator Menendez noted that this issue has been “too long ignored by Congress”.

Actress Brooke Shields gave an impassioned plea to Congress and stated these bills would be “an easy gift to give women for Mother’s Day”. We are very grateful to Ms. Shields for her participation as the press conference received unprecedented national coverage in multiple media contexts. Thanks, Brooke, for so graciously lending your star power to this issue! It’s never easy for these courageous women to recount their struggles with this devastating illness.

Also urging the need for immediate passage of the legislation was President Advisory Council members Mary Jo Codey and author Sylvia Lasalandra who brought the house down by threatening to return to DC “with my Sicilian mother in her housecoat”, if this legislation is not passed this year!

Carol Blocker’s emotional account of her daughter’s death by suicide stopped breath. An advocate for many years for the bill named after her daughter, Melanie Blocker Stokes, Carol has tireless pursued the need for education of health professionals and mothers alike. We are honored that she has agreed to join PSI’s President’s Advisory Council.

PSI’s consistent advocacy in this regard for over twenty years, earned us the introduction by Senator Menendez as “the leading organization in the U.S. on perinatal mental health”. PSI’s inclusiveness and focus on networking with other organizations who share our mission helps unify and strengthen the issue’s national voice. With much pride in our organization’s historic contributions which started 20 years ago when Jane Honikman founded PSI, I added our message to the Congressional challenge, noting that the science clearly backs the need for responsive legislative and social action to this public health crisis. You can see an excerpted video of the press conference in our legislative update section; the full presentation will be available soon.

We would like to thank Emma Palmer in Senator Menendez’s office for her hard work orchestrating and promoting this event along with Aysha Moshi from Congressman Rush’s office. These two women work on the legislative promotion of these initiatives EVERY DAY and need our help. The MOTHER’s Act still needs Senate co-sponsors to please continue your pursuit of endorsement by your state legislators! This continues to be critical! You can find the contact information for your state senators in our legislative update section.

On Saturday, May 12th, the day before Mother’s Day, I was in Chicago with Carol Blocker, Melanie’s daughter Sommer Skyy and Dr. Sam Blocker to present Congressman Bobby L. Rush with PSI’s first Melanie Blocker Stokes Leadership Award at Operation Blue

Lady. Organized by Tann Moore of Power and Purpose Productions, the day also featured an expert panel of local and national advocates including former PSI president Dr. Shoshana Bennett, Postpartum Progress blog author Katherine Stone, and a book signing by PSI President’s Advisory Council member Sylvia Lasalandra (A Daughter’s Touch). Also attending were PSI President’s Advisory Council Member Joan Mudd and PSI Executive board member Birdie Meyer who will unveil PSI’s new certificate preconference program at our June conference. Many thanks to Thyatiria Townsend and Toure Mohammed from Congressman Rush’s office for their hard work in helping to organize the event. Spence Moore was an invaluable team member throughout the project’s implementation, getting the media set up to record this historic moment.

Check PSI in the News for updates on the extensive coverage generated by these combined efforts.

CBS Cares our consistently supportive partner has once again outdone themselves in reaching to new markets to spread the message. Throughout May, the CBS Cares public service announcements on postpartum depression featuring Kathryn Morris and Danny Pino will air on over 30,000 American Airlines flights on Eye on American.

Next up: PSI’s annual conference in June – it seems we have again exceeded previous conferences in participation and support. We hope to see all of you there!

In closing, many thanks for your own efforts to curb the devastation of perinatal mood disorders through your local and regional advocacy and to turn the tide irrevocably in favor of more research, education and treatment for women, children and families everywhere.

Warmly,

Susan

April 11, 2007

Dear PSI Members and Visitors

PSI continues to experience unprecedented membership and coordinator growth and opportunities for national and local involvement in perinatal mental health issues. This growth continues as a result of your sharing local and agency connections with PSI, your dedicated work in communities across our country and around the world; all of which have elevated our issue to a historic prominence… a prominence and urgency that may finally result in the passage of protective federal legislation this year. PSI’s coordinators and members give us an organizational vitality that has helped propel societal understanding of perinatal mood disorders into mainstream dialogues resulting in the implementation of needed programs.  This progress continues with many new states considering or adopting such programs.

Our annual conference registration is now open; don’t miss the chance to attend this event rich with learning and contact opportunities.  As attendance is limited this year, please reserve your room and sessions as soon as possible.
 
On May 11, PSI is working with PowernPurpose Productions on Operation Blue Lady to raise awareness of perinatal mental health issues and continue the momentum needed to pass The Melanie Blocker Stokes Act. This event will take place Saturday, May 12th of Mother’s Day weekend. At the event Congressman Bobby L. Rush will be honored for his years of advocacy by conferring him with the first ever PSI Melanie Blocker Stokes Leadership Award. Please visit the PowernPurpose website for more information or to register for the event which is FREE of charge to all wishing to attend.  You can also make a Mother’s Day Tribute to a special mother/caregiver in your life through their website.
 
In addition, Senator Robert Mendendez will reintroduce The MOTHER’s Act in the U.S. Senate shortly (if he has not already done so by the time this message appears). It is imperative that you reach out to your local Senators and encourage sponsorship and promotion of this important legislation!

PSI’s was honored last month as the recipient of the prestigious Connie Woodruff Award, granted by the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and selected by The New Jersey Advisory Commission on the Status of Women. The award recognized PSI as an “outstanding New Jersey Community organization which has developed policies, services and programs that benefit women in New Jersey”. The award was presented at a luncheon on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 and attended by Susan Bass Levin and New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine. President Advisory Council Members Mary Jo Codey, Sylvia Lasalandra and yours truly accepted the award on behalf of PSI.

PSI continues to be a frequent participant in national television presentations and an expert media resource. This month, the Hallmark Channel will feature PSI President’s Advisory Council Member and author Sylvia Lasalandra and myself on the “New Morning Show” to be aired on Wednesday, April 18th. Check local listings for show time in your area. And the PBS affiliate, KTE television from Los Angeles, will feature postpartum depression on “A Place of Our Own” later in the spring (to be announced).

In addition, our board and President’s Advisory Council members receive almost daily inquiries for media and print commentary, giving PSI an opportunity to broadcast our consistent message of urgency and hope, i.e. “You are not alone, you are not to blame and with help, you WILL be well.

CBS Cares continues to feature our issue and recently included the postpartum public service announcements on 30,000 American Airlines flights throughout the next two months! We owe much to their ongoing support of our issue.

Finally, May will see the launch of PSI’s new “informational sessions”. These sessions - facilitated by mental health professionals - may be accessed through a free 800 bridge line number, and are designed to offer callers basic information  on perinatal mood disorders in a more personal format - creating easier access to such information for mothers who may be homebound or wish to make their initial outreach from the privacy of their home. While these are not therapy sessions, callers may be given appropriate referral information as needed. Concerned family members and friends are also invited to join the calls.

Hope to see you at one the events in May or at our June conference!

Be well,

Susan

March 3, 2007

Dear PSI Members and Visitors

The past few weeks have brought PSI new opportunities and recognition for the important issues we all so consistently champion for the women and families we serve. Highlights include:

The PSI board’s decision to award the first ever Melanie Blocker Stokes Leadership Award to Congressman Bobby Rush. As we anticipate passage of this legislation, we want to honor both the long term advocacy of Congressman Rush and the memory of Melanie Blocker Stokes. Carol Blocker, Melanie’s mother, has expressed her appreciation for the establishment of this award. A representative from our partner, CBS Cares will be present to participate in this event. You are all invited and encouraged to attend this historic moment in our issue’s history. Event details will be available soon.

PSI’s designation as this years’ recipient of the prestigious Connie Woodruff Award, granted by the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and selected by The New Jersey Advisory Commission on the Status of Women. The award recognizes PSI as an “outstanding New Jersey Community organization which has developed policies, services and programs that benefit women in New Jersey”. The award will be presented at a luncheon on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 and will be given by NJ Health Commissioner Susan Bass Levin. New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine is also expected to attend.

PSI’s growing prominence as an expert reference for multiple media outlets and professional organizations when researching information on perinatal mood disorders. While PSI’s leadership and members have always been noted as the field experts on related issues, our partnership with CBS Cares has significantly elevated our national visibility and momentum. This means PSI has had more public/consumer opportunities to direct content, give input, and correct misperceptions about pregnancy related mood disorders, thereby reducing stigma, encouraging treatment and inspiring hope.

PSI’s annual conference Supporting Families: Fostering Perinatal Emotional Health and Reducing Vulnerability to be held in Kansas City in June continues to attract international notice and renown presenters, all of whom volunteer their time and travel to participate in this vital annual seminar. This year, we had a waiting list for registration. Look for online registration in the next few days.

Stay well,

Susan

February 8, 2007

Dear PSI Members and Visitors

The new year has brought intensified activity to the realization of all goals relevant to PSI’s mission. PSI’s annual board meeting was held at the Renselaerville Institute in Rensselaerville NY the weekend of January 19th. This meeting in the tranquil Helderberg mountains allowed PSI’s busy board members to focus on steps to achievement of 1, 3 and 5 year PSI goals. We were elated to discover that we had met and exceeded goals set in the previous year. Goals for the upcoming year include: expansion of membership benefits including development of a members only section on our website, more support for our existing coordinators and continuing recruitment of new coordinators around the world; the planning of regular fundraising events, appropriate participation in major advocacy efforts and the strengthening and extension of important relationships.

Thanks to the efforts of Chris Armstrong, our webmaster and Dr. Larry Kruckman, our President’s Advisory Chair and web reviewer, new resources, news items and emerging research are added every day. Such resources will always be available, free of charge to any consumer who visits our website or calls our 800 number. Look for informational sessions to be added via live webcasts or bridge line calls in the coming year.

In addition, PSI plans to more actively resource the talent of individuals whose work in this field has earned them a place on PSI’s President’s Advisory Council. Quarterly conference calls will give opportunity for suggestions, feedback and organizational development dependent on fundraising.

PSI’s annual conference Supporting Families: Fostering Perinatal Emotional Health and Reducing Vulnerabilityis rapidly approaching - online registration will be available by month’s end. You will not want to miss this renown line up of speakers who will present on prevention strategies—offering the hopeful message of primary prevention.

Our partnership with CBS Cares continues to amplify our national voice. This month, a two part segment on antenatal depression aired on the CBS Early Show February 8 and 9 (click here for the CBS Early Show’s write-up and video). The care evidenced by the show’s producers in checking facts and their sensitive portrayals of women who have survived PPD, continue to create inspirational programming. The CBS Cares public service announcements will help us expand the postpartum dialogue this year to equally focus on the antenatal period and the undeniable effects of untreated maternal depression on infants/children and families. By appropriately emphasizing the entire period of vulnerability and those affected, we extend our compelling message of hope—that these illnesses can be successfully treated—and consequences—that without treatment, the costs are unbearably high to women, children and families.

PSI continues to experience growth in membership, donations and reach.  We continue to encourage local fundraisers to increase our ability to offer services and support our programs.  If you would like to sponsor such an event, please contact Anne Smith, our Board Chairperson of Fundraising.

The date for our annual NJ Fundraiser has already been set as October 20th, 2007 again at the Green Brook Country Club in North Caldwell, NJ. Sylvia Lasalandra and her husband Michael have again offered their generous sponsorship of this event. Mary Jo Codey will again honor us with her presence and will be honorary chair. Mark your calendar if you live in the tri-state area, or even beyond! Last year’s gala was a huge success and a most enjoyable event.

Advocacy efforts continue to support momentum around the reintroduction of The MOTHER’s Act and the Melanie Stokes Act. We will keep our members and visitors involved and aware of ways they can show their support and the most effective timing of such support. You can have a direct effect on the outcome!

Be well,

Susan

January 7, 2007

Dear PSI Members and Visitors

Welcome!  On behalf of PSI’s Executive Board, President’s Advisory council and staff, we wish to thank each of you for your past and present support of our crucial mission.  Our expanding and fantastic worldwide base of PSI volunteer coordinators and dedicated members provide constant inspiration!
 
As 2007 begins, the 110th Congress brings great hope that the advocacy momentum—to which each of you has greatly contributed may result in the passage of legislation which has been pending for several years. Presently, Congressman Bobby Rush has reintroduced The Melanie Stokes Act as H.R. 20 on January 4th, 2007. We also anticipate similar activity in the Senate generated by The MOTHER’s ACT, authored by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (NJ) and Senator Richard Durbin  (IL).
 
Now is the time for each of us to renew our advocacy efforts by calling and writing our local Congressman to request their support for these legislative initiatives. You may locate your local representative by clicking on this link. Also, please cut and paste this message and send it to other advocates, friends, family members, clinicians who may not be aware of these initiatives and ask them to join us in this effort. Your call/letter could make the difference. (Click here for a sample letter)
 
I am pleased to announce that Matthew Margo, Senior Vice-President of Program Practices at CBS Television network, has indicated the network’s intention of continuing to air the public service announcements on postpartum depression throughout the new year. While the intention is educational, prosocial and to encourage women/families to reach out for help, the continuing national media exposure will help to mainstream our cause, with the potential to influence additional key support.
 
The weekend of January 19th, 2007 marks the annual PSI board retreat.  Each committee chair will be presenting reports on current activities including, feedback from our amazing worldwide network of coordinators, curriculum development for training, expansion of 800 number services, public relations/media, finances, communications/website, advocacy, fundraising, the development of strategic partnerships and of course, our annual 2007 conference. We welcome your feedback for keeping PSI as relevant and responsive a worldwide resource/network as possible. You may email individual board members with your suggestions/concerns by visiting our board member page and clicking on email.
 
The highlights of the board retreat will be shared with all of you both in the February President’s Corner message and our PSI’s quarterly newsletter.
 
PSI continues to experience expansion in membership, coordinator applications and requests for linkage/partnerships. While donations have shown modest increase, we will be seeking major funding in the upcoming year for expansion of programs and services. Did you know that PSI has only one paid staff member although our volunteer base numbers in the hundreds? And the dedicated diligence of this pivotal staff member in Santa Barbara makes her worth her weight in gold!  This is an astounding fact among non-profits of our size, reach and accomplishments. Low administrative overhead means contributed dollars directly fund programs/services an important consideration for potential donors.
 
Wishing you and yours a healthy, happy New Year! 
 
Susan

December 10, 2006

Welcome to Our New Website!

Dear PSI Members and Visitors!

As PSI’s new president, I am delighted to introduce you to our new website. Our communication team’s goal was to position the most urgently needed information within quick and clear reach. Our national map, located by visiting our Support Groups and Area Coordinators page, will immediately offer local resources, in 49 states and over 26 countries around the world. We welcome your feedback.

This month, we are proud to partner with CBS Cares in the launch of the most extensive national media outreach program ever untaken to raise awareness of postpartum depression and perinatal mood disorders. On behalf of PSI, I wish to express our deepest appreciation to Matthew Margo, Senior Vice-President of Program Practices at CBS Cares for so effectively leading this groundbreaking prosocial campaign initiated by the cast of Cold Case. These public service announcements will begin airing on October 16th and will be presented by Kathyrn Morris and Danny Pino, stars of the CBS critically acclaimed series.
 
CBS Cares and Cold Case will be honored with PSI’s Excellence in Media Outreach Award at our New Jersey fundraiser on November 17th. For futher information or to attend, please visit our attend a PSI fundraiser page.
 
The President’s Corner will focus on current issues, people, resources and developments related to the promotion of perinatal mental health. The content of this segment will be frequently updated, so visit often. For an overview of current projects of PSI’s President and Board Members, please visit our board members page.  The President’s Advisory Council lists additional affiliations of those who have contributed consistent efforts to PSI’s mission in a variety of contexts.

In this first segment of the President’s Corner, I would like to acknowledge the work of Jane Honikman, PSI’s Founder who has never wavered from her mission of eradicating perinatal mental illness. Her worldwide vision has truly achieved its intended global reach and has made PSI the “go to” organization for mothers / partners, families and practitioners around the world. Thank you Jane for persevering against all odds. You are a true inspiration.

October 10, 2006

Welcome PSI Members and Visitors

The last month has brought enormous visibility to our issue through media focus on recent research and pending legislation. PSI members helped to provide background information, expert medical/psychiatric consultation and personal experiences to help others. Many thanks to Sylvia Lasalandra, Teresa Twomey, Jessica Banas and Lisa Shallis for their courageous participation. If you haven’t read the compelling editorial by renown researcher and PSI member Katherine Wisner, MD, MS, and her colleagues Christina Chambers, PhD, MPH and Dorothy K. Y. Sit, MD on the landmark Danish study which appears in the December JAMA, you will want to do so. The links to the video clips, articles and interviews, which appeared on CNN, MSNBC, ABC and JAMA abstracts can be found in our PSI in the News section.
 
In addition, the following major networks now have linked to PSI’s website: Manny Alvarez, MD, FOX News “Ask Dr. Manny”; Jay Adlersberg, MD through EyeWitness News, Paula Zahn CNN: New moms at risk for mental health issues and of course CBS Cares.
  
PSI’s partnership with CBS Cares initiated on October 15th with a special episode on Cold Case  followed by public service announcements  led to a 36% increase in website hits, 86% of which are new visitors. Applications for coordinators have surged as have opportunities for PSI to form strategic alliances with relevant organizations. PSI membership is on the rise. I was pleased to hear from Matthew Margo, Senior Vice-President of Program Practices at CBS Cares and winner of PSI’s Excellence in Media Outreach Award, that CBS Cares plans to continue airing their public service announcements on postpartum depression throughout the next year.
 
PSI’s network of worldwide coordinators are doing a fantastic job keeping up with the increase in referrals. We are about to extend our 800 number services and those changes will be implemented in the New Year.  We continue to update our state/international listings of available resources every week.
 
Two successful November fundraisers brought some financial support to PSI’s projects. We extend our deepest thanks to Mary Jo Codey and Sylvia Lasalandra, author of A Daughter’s Touch, for the fantastic NJ gala. Sylvia and her husband Michael sponsored this memorable evening of gourmet food, wine and sold-out silent auction. Mary Jo Codey was among our key NJ legislators/advocates in attendance, including NJ Governor Jon Corzine, U.S. Senator Richard Menendez (co-sponsor of the Mother’s Act), State Senate President and Former Governor Richard Codey, and Manny Alvarez, MD, all of whom addressed our guests.  
 
PSI President’s Advisory Council member Meg Spinelli, MD shared the presentation of our Excellence in Media Outreach Award to CBS Cares and Cold Case. The award was accepted on behalf of CBS Cares and Cold Case by Matthew Margo, Senior Vice-President Program Practices, CBS television network.
 
In Santa Barbara, CA the magnificent Bacara was again the venue for a memorable gathering at Postpartum Support International’s Fifth Mystery Readers’ Brunch and Silent Auction where over 100 guests enjoyed meeting author Elizabeth George. Guests were treated to a delicious lunch and brought up to date on the status of many issues relevant to PSI.
 
In the New Year, PSI will be calling upon each of you to support, through fundraisers, letters, and other local advocacy, coordinated efforts to pass key legislation. Many years of passionate work in perinatal mental health have led to some pivotal opportunities to enact federal and state protections for women/partners and families. Check back often for updates and information about how you can make a difference.
 
Wishing you and yours a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season,
 
Susan