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Obama Signs New Legislation to Help SSI/SSDI Beneficiaries
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This new legislation provides a one-time payment of $250 to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries. Over 60 million beneficiaries will receive a one-time payment. Expect all payments to be delivered by late May 2009. To assist in issuing these payments as quickly as possible, beneficiaries should not contact Social Security unless they do not receive their payment by June 4. You can learn more about these one-time payments at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/.
For a listing of this and other news from SAMHSA and CMHS, visit the “News and Announcements” page of the “Peers Helping Peers” DBSA Technical Assistance Center website at www.PeersHelpingPeers.org/news.php.
Mother’s Day: Give the Gift of Life
Support Postpartum Depression Legislation
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!
Connect and Be Counted.
Send a Letter Now!
One Person Can Make a Difference.
DBSA Events
JUNE 2009
"Mood Disorders and Headaches"
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
2-3:30 on CDT
Presenter: Lawrence Robbins, M.D., Chicago-area neurologist specializing in headache and founder of the Robbins Headache Clinic. Dr. Robbins is author two books, Headache Help and Management of Headache and Headache Medications.
(Registration coming soon)
SEPTEMBER 2009
NOVEMBER 2009
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Rebecca's Dream Gala November 7, 2009 Past Rebecca's Dream Legacy of Life Awardees: 2008: Lt. Govenor Pat Quinn 2007: Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.) 2006: Patty Duke |