On June 16, U.S. Senators Durbin and Menendez introduced new legislation called the MOTHERS Act, which stands for The Mom’s Opportunity To Access Help, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act. Finally, maybe we’ll get some legislation passed. Someone please tell me what we need to do, aside from contacting our state senators, to get this pushed through!! Following is the press release about the introduction of the new bill:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) today announced legislation that aims to eradicate the devastating effects of postpartum depression on American families. The legislation, introduced in the Senate earlier this week, proposes grants to better increase education and access to screenings for new mothers and to increase research into this difficult illness. The bill also proposes grants to health care providers, to facilitate the delivery of healthcare to those suffering from postpartum depression.

“We must attack postpartum depression on all fronts with education, screening, support, and research so that new moms can feel supported and safe rather than scared and alone,” Menendez said. “Many new mothers sacrifice anything and everything to provide feelings of security and safety to their innocent, newborn child. It is our duty to provide the same level of security, safety and support to new mothers in need.”

The MOTHERS Act was introduced in response to a recently passed, first-of-its-kind New Jersey law requiring doctors and nurses to educate and screen expectant mothers about PPD. This state bill was introduced by State Senate President Richard Codey whose wife, Mary Jo Codey, suffered from PPD.

A major part of prevention is informing new mothers about the symptoms and providing them with the services that are available in their community. This bill helps mothers by providing important education and screening on postpartum depression that can lead to early identification and treatment. The two grants help health care providers educate, identify and treat PPD.

Because the exact cause of PPD isn’t known, research continues to be the key to unlocking the mystery of this condition. This legislation incorporates House legislation, the Melanie Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act, which would expand and intensify research at the National Institutes of Health with respect to PPD and psychosis, including increased discovery of treatments, diagnostic tools and educational materials for providers.

“Many women have successfully recovered from postpartum depression with the help of therapy, medication, and support groups,” Menendez said. “By increasing education and early treatment of postpartum depression, mothers, husbands, and families, will be able to recognize the symptoms of this condition and help new mothers get the treatment they need and deserve.”

This legislation is supported by a wide range of medical professional and health advocacy organizations, including: Postpartum Support International, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, Family Mental Health Institute, Inc., American College of Nurse Midwives, National Mental Health Association, The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Illinois Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois Psychiatric Association, and the New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.