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