LegislationNews

The Mom’s Opportunity To Access Help, Education, Research and Support for Postpartum Depression (MOTHERS) Act and the Melanie Stokes Act are designed to ensure that new moms and their families are educated about postpartum depression, screened for symptoms, and provided with essential services. In addition, the implementation of these Acts will increase research into the causes, diagnoses and treatments for postpartum depression. On January 4, 2007, Congressman Bobby Rush reintroduced the Melanie Stokes Act to the 110th Congress as H.R. 20. Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey introduced the MOTHERS Act on May 11, 2007.

Melanie Stokes Act

"On February 23, 2001, Melanie Blocker-Stokes, a Chicago, IL, native and successful pharmaceutical sales manager, wife, and mother, gave birth to a daughter. After the birth of her daughter, Mrs. Blocker-Stokes developed a devastating mood disorder known as postpartum psychosis. She was admitted to Chicago-area hospitals 3 times, each time for 7 to 10 days. Despite medical assistance and the support of her family and friends, Mrs. Blocker-Stokes lost her battle with postpartum psychosis and jumped from a 12-story window ledge to her death on June 11, 2001."

This might sound like old news, but this dangerous predator, postpartum depression, is still roaming free. After Melanie's death, her mother Carol began a PPD awareness campaign -- a crusade. She has organized marches, appeared in the media, and initiated legislation. The Melanie Stokes Postpartum Depression and Research and Care Act was initiated on June 28, 2001, about 1 month after Melanie’s death. This Act has 2 major components: 1. To provide for research on, and 2. Provide services to individuals with postpartum depression and psychosis. The Act has not yet passed through all of the official hurdles to become legislation. On January 4, 2007, Congressman Bobby Rush reintroduced the Melanie Stokes Act to the 110th Congress as H.R. 20.

The Mom's Opportunity to Access Help, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act, better known as the MOTHERS Act, was established by Senators Robert Menendez (NJ) and Richard Durbin (IL) after State Senate President Richard Codey introduced a state bill to screen and educate expectant mothers about postpartum depression. The bill was recently passed making New Jersey the only state currently to have such a law. The State Senate President's wife, Mary Jo Codey, is also a PPD advocate who met with us for an interview about her personal struggle with the disease.

In conjunction with the Melanie Stokes Act, it is the hope of the government and advocates around the country that the MOTHERS Act will help to blaze a trail in the prevention, treatment, and research into the causes of PPD.

Under the MOTHERS Act there are 2 grants awarded to help health care providers educate, identify, and treat PPD. Licensed health care providers such as physicians, registered nurses, and midwives are able to educate new parents about PPD and screen for symptoms before they leave the hospital and provide follow-up services. It will also further research into the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of PPD. The award also grants state and local governments, public and nonprofit hospitals, and community-based organizations the ability to provide much needed services to those suffering from PPD and postpartum psychosis. It allows more involved intervention to perinatal and postpartum women who may be afflicted by mood disorders.

If you would like to view the bill, you may do so by clicking here.