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