Speak Up Washington E-Newsletter AUGUST NEWS Grief Becomes a Force of Change On June 21st, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer ran an article by Carol Smith revisiting the story of Thomas Soukakos, who lost his wife to postpartum depression four years ago. The story of Thomas and his son Alexander is especially meaningful and powerful because it was Thomas who spearheaded the effort to implement a statewide public awareness campaign about PPD in Washington. Thomas' story, but more importantly his heart and passion about the need for more education (particularly for men) about postpartum depression, made the legislation starting the "Speak Up When You're Down" Campaign possible. To read the full story about Thomas, go to: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/274716_postpartum21.html.   Postpartum Depression Education/Research Legislation Introduced U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) announced legislation in June that aims to eradicate the devastating effects of postpartum depression on American families. The bill is called the "MOTHERS Act" which stands for The Mom's Opportunity To Access Help, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act. The legislation proposes grants to better increase education and access to screenings for new mothers and to increase research of postpartum depression. The bill also proposes grants to health care providers to facilitate delivery of health care to those suffering from PPD. To read Senator Menendez's press release about this bill, go to: http://menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=257314&&. For more information on the full text of this bill, go to: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.03529:.   New Jersey Passes Law Targeting Postpartum Depression New Jersey doctors will be required to educate expecting mothers and their families about postpartum depression and screen new moms for the disorder under a new law signed in April. Governor Jon S. Corzine called the new requirements, which go into effect this fall, "a significant and positive step for New Jersey's mothers, newborns and families." For more information, on this new legislation, go to: http://abcnews.go.com/US/Depression/wireStory?id=1839382. Research and Resources Welcome  Do you know of a great article, resource or event related to Postpartum Depression? This newsletter will come out once a month and we want to ensure we are including the newest research, the best resources and all relevant events, so PLEASE, send on anything you think might be of use to others interested in the topic of Postpartum Depression. Send any links, articles or the like to Kristen Rogers at kristen@wcpcan.wa.gov. Thank you!

EVENTS Promoting Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy Workshop August 7th & 8th, Seattle, Washington This pregnancy workshop is a 2-day training for professionals addressing the emotional and psychological issues women face during pregnancy. You will learn strategies and interventions that will assist the pregnant woman as she maneuvers through the unique challenges and tasks faced during pregnancy. You will learn how to ask the right questions to get the information you need to promote maternal mental health. You will leave with a plan for implementing your new knowledge in your practice and sharing the training with your staff and co-workers. The registration fee of $340 includes a copy of Promoting Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy book, a packet of intervention handouts, and the assessment card. For more information, go to: http://www.ncast.org/p-pregnancy.asp.   Indiana Regional Perinatal Depression Conference August 25th & 26th, Bloomington Hospital, Indiana This conference is intended to promote awareness of postpartum depression and impart knowledge to facilitate identification, treatment, intervention and support. Participants will: verbalize strategies for screening Perinatal Mood Disorder, cite appropriate pharmacologic treatments, and identify resources available as treatment options. Physicians, APNs, RN/LPNs, social workers, mental health professionals, home health workers and others involved in the care of women are invited to attend. The cost for one day is $125 and for both days is $175. For more information, go to: http://www.indianaperinatal.org/.   Breaking the Cycle of Depression August 28th & 29th, Seattle, Washington The Washington Institute is co-sponsoring this conference, whose focus is on evidence-based team care for depression. It is intended for nurses, social workers, physician assistants, medical assistants, psychologists, physicians, and other health and social service providers who work with depressed adults. This training conference will introduce you to an evidence-based model of collaborative care management for depression. A nationwide study demonstrated that this team care approach more than doubles the effectiveness of depression treatment and that the effects of the program are sustained even after it ends. For more information, and to register online, go to: http://impact-uw.org/conferencedetails.html.

RESEARCH Women's Mental Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum Period The National Institutes of Health invites research project grant applications on the topic of women's mental health in relation to pregnancy and the postpartum period. The NH encourages research on perinatal mood and other mental disorders in four areas: clinical course, epidemiology and risk factors; basic and clinical neuroscience; interventions; and services. Research is encouraged both on perinatal non-psychotic mood disorders and psychotic disorders. Studies exploring the effects of current or lifetime drug abuse, including treatment status and comorbid conditions, on onset and course of mental disorders during the perinatal period are also encouraged. Faith-base and community organizations are eligible to apply. There are multiple due dates. Size and duration of each grant will vary. For more information contact: Joy R. Knipple at (301) 443-8811 or e-mail, at: jk173@nih.gov. To read the full announcement, go to: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-376.html.   Study: Mother's Postpartum Mental Health Problems, Substance Abuse, & Domestic Violence have Lingering Impact New research published in the May 2006 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry suggests that by three years of age, there is already evidence of the adverse effect of a mother's mental health problems, substance abuse, and domestic violence on children. A total of 2,886 mothers from 18 US cities participated. Among the findings: The risk of behavior problems in three-year-olds increased with the number of categories - mental health, substance use, and domestic violence - in which the mother reported a condition in the first year after giving birth. This risk was independent of other factors, including sociodemographics, prenatal factors, and paternal mental health and substance abuse. The research team urged family health care providers to consider the health and wellbeing of the entire family in medical care, rather than focusing on an individual patient. For the abstract of "Maternal Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Domestic Violence in the Year After Delivery, and Subsequent Behavior Problems in Children at Age Three Years," go to: http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/63/5/551.   Eating Disorders Tied to Post-Baby Blues The risk of postpartum depression is higher among women with binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa, according to findings from a large study. The risk of becoming depressed after baby arrives is also higher in women who are perfectionists, the study hints. The findings, reported in the International Journal of Eating Disorders in April, are based on evaluations of more than 1,100 women who had each given birth to one or more children. The study author's team advises doctors to ask pregnant patients about their histories of eating disorders and assess the features of perfectionism, since these traits help "to identify at-risk individuals, and facilitate primary prevention of postpartum depression." To read more about this study, go to: www.health.am/psy/more/eating-disorders-tied-to-post-baby-blues/. To find out how to purchase the full study article, go to: www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jissue/112524780.

RESOURCES GRANT OPPORTUNITY: The Allen Foundation Grant applications are accepted for the efforts affecting health and nutrition. The Allen Foundation focuses on nutritional research, education and training to improve the health of children, young adults and mothers during pregnancy and after birth. The deadline is ongoing. For more information, go to: http://www.allenfoundation.org/.   GRANT OPPORTUNITY: American Psychiatric Foundation The foundation is making up to $750,000 in grant funds available over the course of three years (2005-2007) to fund public education, information and outreach initiatives that promote the early recognition and treatment of mental illness. Grants from the foundation can support a wide variety of public education activities in this arena. Eligible applicants include organizations that have been in existence for at least two years and currently maintain a 501 (c) 3 charitable status; American Psychiatric Association District branches and subsidiaries; and organizations need not be mental health programs. Grants may be sought for new initiatives or expansion of current programs. Requests must be for educational, informational or outreach efforts. Efforts may focus on a specific mental disorder, mental illness in general, or target a specific population. The next deadline for funding requests is September 1, 2006. For more information, go to: http://www.psychfoundation.org/.   GRANT OPPORTUNITY: Women's Mental Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum Period The National Institutes of Health invites research project grant applications on the topic of women's mental health in relation to pregnancy and the postpartum period. The NH encourages research on perinatal mood and other mental disorders in four areas: clinical course, epidemiology and risk factors; basic and clinical neuroscience; interventions; and services. Research is encouraged both on perinatal non-psychotic mood disorders and psychotic disorders. Studies exploring the effects of current or lifetime drug abuse, including treatment status and comorbid conditions, on onset and course of mental disorders during the perinatal period are also encouraged. Faith-base and community organizations are eligible to apply. There are multiple due dates. Size and duration of each grant will vary. For more information contact: Joy R. Knipple at (301) 443-8811 or e-mail, at: jk173@nih.gov. To read the full announcement, go to: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-376.html.

FEATURE: PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT New Parent Services Family Services is an organization that serves Seattle and King County. They offer a number of programs for new parents adjusting to parenthood and for women experiencing Baby Blues, Postpartum Depression and other PPMD's. Classes include: Bringing Baby Home which teaches ways to stay connected with your partner, interact with your baby, keep both parents involved, deal with conflict in a positive way, and create a caring and nurturing home; and Listening Mothers which helps lay the foundation for healthy, loving relationships between mothers and babies; Beyond the Baby Blues which provides treatment for pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders and supports the adjustment to parenthood. Services offered through the Beyond the Baby Blues program include: Individual and couple psychotherapy; Consultation; Medication referral; Free Drop-in groups; and mother-infant psychotherapy. For more information on these and other services offered by Family Services, and for information on classes starting in Bellevue, go to: http://www.family-services.org/NewParents/NewParentServices.htm.