It’s true. Nothing has happened.
I remember standing there in the shadow of the United States Capitol in 2010 so excited that the Melanie Blocker Stokes Mothers Act had passed. We were getting somewhere. The federal government was officially recognizing how common postpartum depression is and how mentally healthy moms are crucial to new families getting a strong start.Ā There would be money allotted to increase services for women with postpartum depression around the country.
We’re still not a priority though, even with the act passed. Perhaps we’re not even somewhere in the middle of the priority list. No national actions have been taken. So says Carol Blocker, mother of Melanie, in a recent article in the Chicago Tribune:
” … today, when asked what has been accomplished through the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, the Chicago woman minces no words: ‘Absolutely nothing.'”
P.S. You might also want to check out another story from the Chicago Tribune featuring Natachia Barlow, a mom who experienced postpartum psychosis.
How frustrating. š Is there anything we can do to get them to start making things happen? Would a change.org petition that emails every politician on Cap Hill every time someone signs help?
You know, I’m not sure what would help, Esther. It appears the only time Congress does anything is when there’s a major tragedy.
I am currently suffering severely from post partum depression and ocd. I reached out and asked social service for help and now they took my children and nothing I do is getting me closer to getting them home. I am at my end I feel so hopeless and miss my children more than anything. This is why woman don’t reach out or talk about it. I have spent everyday for six months calling, researching, and begging for help. Completed inpatient and outpatient treatment two parenting classes therapy arhms workers doctors the works and they told me I need to step it up or they will start filing permenancy papers to have my children taken forever. This is a horrible thing to go through I don’t know what to do next. And I want to help in any way that I can to make sure this doesn’t happen anymore! Its unfair and I can’t believe I am being punished for something I can’t control!