Mother’s Day has been recognized in special ways for thousands of years. It is a good time to reflect on the importance of mothers in our lives.

This year, let’s start a new tradition by showing our appreciation for mothers by supporting  Postpartum Depression  (PPD) legislation.

The legislation (H.R. 20) and (S. 324) is The Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act. This legislation will educate and provide new mothers and their families with essential services, increase public awareness, encourage the expansion of research and most importantly, find new and effective treatments.

Each year, 800,000 new mothers will develop postpartum depression.  This does not include the 7.5 percent of women who will develop major depression during pregnancy.

Both pieces of legislatiion are named in honor of Melanie Stokes, a 41 year-old Chicago sales manager who took her life after giving birth to her first child. She plunged to her death from the 12th floor ledge of a Chicago hotel as firefighters pleaded with her not to jump.  Melanie took her life despite medical assistance and the support of her family and friends.

Also, encourage your friends and family to send letters as well.  Letters are already prepared for your use in the DBSA”s Legislative Action Center (LAC). To use the Tell-A-Friend feature, click here.

Remember May is Mental Health Month!