Dear Colleague,

Approximately 10% of women experience a major depressive episode during pregnancy, and 20% experience a major depressive episode during the first year after they give birth to a child. Although there are slight variations in findings, studies have consistently shown that about 20% of women in prenatal care who met criteria for psychiatric diagnoses by research criteria received any mental health treatment. Unfortunately, even when depression is detected by healthcare professionals and despite the availability of treatment, women rarely seek or obtain the assistance that they need. To assist healthcare professionals in screening, diagnosing and getting the necessary treatment to their patients, MedEdPPD.org offers The Pittsburgh Training Program for Perinatal Depression Screening. This online training activity was adapted from a live interactive training program conducted in partnership with MedEdPPD on June 4, 2010 by Dr. Katherine Wisner at Women’s Behavioral HealthCARE, Pittsburgh, PA., and includes 6 training sessions based on a comprehensive depression management model developed by Dr. Laura Miller, Director of Women's Mental Health Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's/Faulkner Hospitals, Harvard University. Each interactive steps of the model are presented and discussed by a panel of faculty consultants and recognized leaders in the field. Topics include:

• Perinatal Depression: Detection and Screening
• Screening for and Diagnosis of Perinatal Disorders
• Overcoming Barriers to Treatment Engagement for Low Income Populations
• Iterative Steps in a Comprehensive Program Model: Program & Treatment Overviews
• Symptom Improvement; Improved Outcomes for Perinatal Depression

Medical Updates Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in New Mothers: Results from a Two-Stage U.S. National Survey BIRTH 38:3 September 2011. Beck CT, Gable RK, Sakala C, Declercq ER. In this two-stage national survey the high percentage of mothers who screened positive for meeting all the DSM-IV criteria for a posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis is a sobering statistic. Screening for Postpartum Depression in a Pediatric Emergency Department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2011 Aug 22. Birmingham MC, Chou KJ, Crain EF. [Epub ahead of print]. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether a 3-question version of the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) performs as well as the full EPDS in screening for postpartum depression in a pediatric emergency department (PED). A comparison of three screening tools to identify perinatal depression among low-income African American women. Tandon SD, Cluxton-Keller F, Leis J, Le HN, Perry DF. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States. BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of three depression screening tools among a low-income African American population of pregnant and recently delivered women enrolled in home visitation programs in a low-income urban community. View More» In The News Kendra Wilkinson: I’m Back to Being Me After Battling PPD people.com Nearly two years after welcoming son Hank, first-time mom Kendra Wilkinson has officially bounced back. 1 In 4 Moms In AK Suffer From Depression During, After Pregnancy ktva.com ANCHORAGE—State health officials say more than one in four mothers in Alaska suffer from depression and anxiety during and after pregnancy. Postpartum Depression Clinic The First Of Its Kind npr.org by Ann Heppermann – Maria Bruno knew something was really wrong when she put her newborn son, Nicolas, down for a nap and then was too afraid to pick him up. Women fight postpartum depression with placenta pills abclocal.go.com Some women trying to avoid postpartum depression are turning to a natural form of medicine before they give birth. Women trying to recover from postpartum depression are taking pills made of their own placenta. The pills are meant to help the body avoid a hormonal crash after pregnancy. View More»

Events Calendar The 25th anniversary Postpartum Support International Conference: WHOLE CARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY When: SEPTEMBER 14 - SEPTEMBER 17 Sponsored by: Postpartum International Where: Seattle, Washington Website: Click Here Med Ed Resources For Dads Section A resource section with informative links for Dads. www.icea.org The International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) as a professional organization supports educators and other health care providers who believe in freedom to make decisions based on knowledge of alternatives in family-centered maternity and newborn care. Families Matter Families Matter is a not-for-profit primary source of information and training for Postpartum Depression in Calgary, Alberta. Mission: We strengthen families by creating learning opportunities that build confidence, competence and connection through life’s transitions. Spread The Word Click here to tell a colleague. MedEdPPD.org Newsletter Archives Missed last month's newsletter? Click here for a list of our previous newsletters. Find Us On Facebook!