Stories have been circulating on the web and elsewhere disseminating falsehoods about the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act. Postpartum Support International has shared a response to those falsehoods that is very important for everyone to read. I’ll offer my response separately.

It has come to the attention of PSI that misinformation about the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act and its lead sponsor, Postpartum Support International (PSI), is being aggressively circulated on the web. This bulletin suggests protest against the bill’s adoption on false belief, and implies that PSI’s interest in the legislation emanates from its funding by pharmaceutical companies. These assertions indicate the bulletin’s authors have neither read nor understood the legislation nor sought verification of PSI’s funding sources, which are available to the public. The following is true:

1. PSI is not, nor has it ever been, funded by pharmaceuticals. Our funding comes from private donations, memberships and our own fundraising efforts. It appears our fine organization was mischaracterized without any attempt to verify this false assertion.

2. The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act does not mandate screening, the use of medications, or any other form of involuntary or coercive engagement in unwanted services for perinatal mood disorders.

3. Melanie Blocker Stokes leapt to her death as a result of postpartum psychosis which was not promptly diagnosed and treated. Her mother, Carol Blocker, has devoted her life to the passage of this protective legislation named for her daughter. Her death was not the result of medication misuse.

4. To further clarify and summarize, the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act encourages the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to coordinate and continue research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and find treatments for, postpartum conditions. It also encourages a national public awareness campaign, to be administered by HHS to increase awareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and psychosis. It encourages HHS to make grants available for projects for the establishment, operation and coordination of systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum depression.

It is most unfortunate that any organization would attempt to dissuade public support of critical legislation by circulating erroneous information about the bill’s contents and intent. Please call or visit PSI’s website to read the legislation or submit any questions.