I received this media advisory about the passage of The MOTHERS Act and I wanted to share it with the EmpowHER audience. The passage of this act means so much for women who are dealing with the effects of post-partum depression. Below, please read the advisory in its entirety:
"MEDIA ADVISORY
THIS MOTHER’S DAY,
AN EXTRA GIFT FOR NEW MOTHERS
Celebration Thursday for new MOTHERS Act law to create support structure for combating postpartum
Women’s health advocates to join Sen. Menendez, Rep. Rush on The Hill
WASHINGTON – With Mother’s Day approaching, women’s health advocates will join Congressional champions in the fight against Postpartum Depression to celebrate the enactment of the Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS Act, the initiative to combat postpartum depression signed into law as part of health insurance reform. The law was authored by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), who will help lead Thursday’s event. The brand new law will establish a comprehensive federal commitment to combating postpartum depression through new research, education initiatives and voluntarily support service programs.
Carol Blocker, the mother of the bill’s namesake, will be in attendance. Her daughter Melanie committed suicide as a result of postpartum depression.
WHAT: Leading up to Mother’s Day, celebration of new law to help new mothers combat postpartum depression
WHO: U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Senator sponsor of MOTHERS Act
Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), House sponsor of MOTHERS Act
Carol Blocker, mother of the late Melanie Blocker Stokes
Susan Dowd Stone, Postpartum Support International
Katherine Stone, Postpartum Progress website
Sylvia Lasalandra, author, “A Daughter’s Touch”
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Psychological Association (APA)
OTHER ADVOCATES
WHEN: Thursday, May 6
11:30am
WHERE: Senate Swamp, Upper Senate Park (next to Russell Senate Office Building)
Constitution Ave and Delaware Ave, NE
Washington, DC
RAIN LOCATION:
S-120, U.S. Capitol"