This weekend I was in Manhattan to give a speech. On Sunday I was sitting in my hotel room having breakfast and watching the weekend version of the "Today Show" on NBC. Then I was STOPPED in mid-bite. Imagine my surprise when this commercial comes on:
There’s a guy sitting at his desk, and a female colleague comes into his office. She asks him how his wife is doing with their new baby. He says she’s having a hard time and that he’s never seen her like this before. She doesn’t even want to hold the baby. Then you realize he’s just imagining telling his colleague the truth — what he actually tells her is that his wife is doing fine. Then NJ first lady Mary Jo Codey appears and says that lots of women experience postpartum depression, and there is no reason to keep suffering. Help is available. And her website appears (www.njspeakup.gov).
I almost fell off my chair! This was a real, professionally-produced television advertisement about postpartum depression appearing on a major network. Imagine if every state was willing to spend the money to put the message out like New Jersey is doing. I was thrilled. Bravo, bravo and bravo to New Jersey!
GOT TO LOVE PREVENTION! On July 7, 2005, The Insider television program highlighted celebrity women who suffered from PPD and were helped by medicine and support. Pat, the narrator, mentioned that PPD is caused from hormonal imbalances and that "1 in 10" women will experience it. This was a first for me; covering prevention rather than sensationalism. The Insider gave hope and direction for women watching who "were" suffering in silence! Thank you, thank you, thank you and BRAVO times 100.