Wish a major TV network wouldfill a needand create a series that delves into the importance of emotional health, including postpartum mental health? Don't lie. I know the last time you cracked a wishbone or stepped on a crack or blew out some candles this is EXACTLY what you wished for.

Well, your wish is coming true. Wahoo! PBS' "This Emotional Life" will premiere January 4, 2010:

"The Emmy Award-winning team of Vulcan Productions and the producers of NOVA have created a three-part series that explores improving our social relationships, learning to cope with depression and anxiety, and becoming more positive, resilient individuals.The series was produced by Kunhardt McGee Productions.

Harvard psychologist and best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness, Professor Daniel Gilbert, talks with experts about the latest science on what makes us “tick” and how we can find support for the emotional issues we all face.

Each episode weaves together the compelling personal stories of ordinary people and the latest scientific research along with revealing comments from celebrities like Chevy Chase, Larry David, Alanis Morissette, Robert Kennedy, Jr., and Richard Gere."

Plan on watching it. In addition to covering such topics as attachment, intimacy, autism, forgiveness and meditation, they have included postpartum mood and anxiety disorders. HOORAY!

The TV seriesis accompanied by a cool website that lists resources, offers blog posts and shares stories from celebrities, experts and everyday people.

I have already checked out the This Emotional Life website. I get the sense they are still working on it, adding more and more resources. In that vein, forthwith I'd like to offer them a little advice:

I was concerned to find that, in the Resource Findersection in the list of topics, postpartum depression isn't listed. Postpartum depression isthe most common search term used by women suffering from any type of postpartum mood or anxiety disorder. What is listed is the term "PPMD", which is not commonly used at all. It's an abbreviation for postpartum mood disorders. In fact, I believe most women will scroll down theResource Finder topiclist looking to see if the website has resources for postpartum depression and have no ideawhat PPMD stands for, or that it isreferring to postpartum depression and other related disorders. (And, I couldpoint out that if we were being technically correct it should actually be PMAD or postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, since postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD are not mood disorders.) I emailed the contact for the This Emotional Life website, but received no response. I have no idea whether they'll change it or not which is very frustrating, because I want women to be able to find the resources they are looking for. If you can hear me PBS, please honk your horn, or blink twice, or nod your head.

If you happen to be in the know and do click on PPMD, the resources listed include NAMI, Mental Health America, DBSA, the Mayo Clinic, Psych Central, the Nurse Family Partnership and then waaaaaay down at the bottom are listed PSI and Postpartum Progress. I think PSI should be the FIRSTresource listed. These other organizations, while they are fantastic and should be listed, do not specialize on and focus on women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

In the People & Blogs – Experts section, in addition to Jessica Zucker, I hope they reach outto and adda couple more experts on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. I would love to see blog postings on the site from Dr. Ruta Nonacs, or Karen Kleiman, or Susan Stone, or Dr. Vivien Burt, or Dr. Lucy Puryear, or Dr. Shari Lusskin, or Birdie Meyer or Diana Lynn Barnes, or Ann Dunnewold, or any of the people who are well-known experts in this field. People who have spent decades treating women with these disorders. I'm giving you some free hints, PBS!!

I'm also hoping they'll add some personal stories from women who have suffered, as currently I don't see any. There are so many great stories out there that would help others.

Oh, and why on earth does the site categorizePostpartum Progressas beingabout PPMD and eating disorders. Eating disorders? Nope. Not ever. I would hate for women with eating disorders to come to my siteand find absolutely no help whatsoever. I only cover perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Am I being hard on PBS? GOODNESS NO! I'm EXTREMELY EXCITED about this series (and yes, I am shouting with excitement). I think it has such an ENORMOUS potential to do good, as emotional health is NEVER given enough attention. This series is going to absolutely rock.It's appointmentTV as far as I'm concerned. I just want to make sure that, in addition to grief and loss, and addiction and eating disordersand bullying, there are GREAT resources available to women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

Do you have any other suggestions for PBS?

Oh, and also:

Last week, Therese Borchard at Beyond Blue conducted an interview with psychologist Jessica Zucker, PhD. Zucker is among those featured on "This Emotional Life". In the interview, they discuss attachment and bonding. Check it out.