Families, Survivors and Clinicians Have a Chance to Show Solidarity in Support of Maternal Mental Health Care

On the heels of the averted tragedy in Florida Tuesday, a universal maternal mental health symbol contest is launched

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Mar 06, 2014, 12:22 ET

LOS ANGELES, March 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Maternal Mental Health disorders affect up to 20% of pregnant women and women in the postpartum period, and postpartum depression has been declared by the American Academy of Pediatrics as the most under-diagnosed obstetric complication in America. Reports indicate that 32-year-old Ebony Wilkerson, the pregnant mother who drove her minivan with her three children into the ocean in Daytona Beach, had been talking about demons before the incident and was taken in for a psychiatric evaluation after she and her children were rescued. She is suspected of having a rare maternal mental health disorder called psychosis.

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"Ideally all mothers would be screened during pregnancy and the postpartum period for emotional complications, and suffering mothers would receive treatment in a timely fashion to avoid these potential tragedies," said Wendy Davis, PhD and Executive Director of Postpartum Support International (PSI) and Vice Chair of the U.S. National Coalition for Maternal Mental Health.

Postpartum Support International (PSI), a maternal mental health support and educational organization for parents and clinicians, and other members of the National Coalition for Maternal Mental Health identified the need to raise greater awareness of the disorders and noted the power of a universal symbol to help survivors, supporters and families recognize the disorder and increase communication about the prevalence, risk factors and treatment options.

"The opportunity for a suffering mother or family member to talk with someone who is knowledgeable about Maternal Mental Health is very healing and discussing maternal mental health helps everyone to normalize this disorder as a common complication of pregnancy. Having a symbol that is accepted by all is one way to increase knowledge and move toward the goal of communication and connection," said PSI Board Member Chris Raines, RN, MSN, APRN-BC, from the University of North Carolina Center for Women's Mood Disorders.

Postpartum Support International (PSI) has launched a contest for a universal symbol for Maternal Mental Health. PSI, an international support and educational organization for parents, initiated the universal symbol contest to help raise awareness of Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Disorders.

The contest is open to the public, through March 31, 2014. The symbol will be used in printed material and apparel such as jewelry, and more. Submissions must include an image of the symbol, which can be hand-drawn or in photo form for example, and if needed the winning symbol will be graphically enhanced by a professional for public use. Submissions should be sent to PSI at [email protected]. The top ten images will be available to the public to vote on at www.photoscramble.com from April 14 to April 28. For official contest rules and prize information, visit (http://postpartum.net/Join-Us/Maternal-Mental-Health-Symbol-Content-Rules.aspx or http://tiny.cc/nci2bx)

About Postpartum Support International
Postpartum Support International is dedicated to helping women and families suffering from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression, the most common complication of childbirth. PSI works to educate and support families, friends and healthcare providers so that pregnant and postpartum women and their families get the support they need. PSI Support Warmline is available every day, in English and Spanish, 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD).

About the National Coalition for Maternal Mental Health
The National Coalition is made up of national and regional non-profits addressing maternal mental health and its goal is to engage stakeholders, advocate collectively for change and raise awareness through standardized campaigns.

CONTACTS:
Sharon Gerdes
Email, 719-358-9499

Wendy Davis, PhD
Email, 503-246-0941

Read more news from Postpartum Support International.

SOURCE Postpartum Support International