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January 16, 2008
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The Honorable Edward M. Kennedy
Chairman
Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
United States Senate
317 Russell Senate
Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
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The Honorable Michael B. Enzi
Ranking Member
Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
United States Senate
379A Russell
Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
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Dear Chairman Kennedy and Ranking Member Enzi:
On behalf of the 148,000 members and affiliates of the American Psychological Association (APA), I am writing to urge your support of a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions mark-up of the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. This important legislation takes an important step forward in education, research, screening and treatment of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health problem that can have significant consequences for both the new mother and family. For mothers, PPD can affect their ability to function in everyday life and increases their risk for anxiety, cognitive impairment, guilt, fear, sleep disturbance, and thoughts of hurting oneself and one’s child. Additionally, PPD may lead to difficulty in providing developmentally appropriate care to infants. As a result, children of mothers with PPD may experience problems in cognitive, social, and emotional development and have a higher risk of anxiety disorders and major depression in childhood and adolescence.
Postpartum depression can be successfully prevented and treated. The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act would ensure that women at-risk for or with PPD are provided adequate and timely prevention and mental health services. In particular, this important legislation would authorize 1) the National Institutes of Health to expand and intensify research and related activities on postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis; 2) grants to establish, operate, and coordinate effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum depression and their families; and 3) the provision of technical assistance to grant recipients.
APA urges you to support the mark-up and enactment of the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act to ensure that adequate steps are taken to prevent and treat postpartum depression and psychosis. If we can be of further assistance, please contact Annie Toro, J.D., M.P.H., in our Public Interest Government Relations Office at (202) 336-6068 or atoro@apa.org.
Sincerely,
Gwendolyn Puryear Keita, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Public Interest Directorate
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