[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 93 (Friday, June 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MELANIE STOKES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2001

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Melanie 
Stokes and all women who have suffered in silence from postpartum 
depression and psychosis with the introduction of the Melanie Stokes 
Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act.
  Chicago native, Melanie Stokes was a successful pharmaceutical sales 
manager and loving wife of Dr. Sam Stokes. However, for Melanie, no 
title was more important than that of mother. Melanie believed 
motherhood was her life mission and fiercely wanted a daughter of her 
own. This dream came true on February 23, 2001 with the birth of her 
daughter, Sommer Skyy. Unfortunately, with the birth of her daughter, 
Melanie entered into a battle for her life with a devastating mood 
disorder known as postpartum psychosis. Despite a valiant fight against 
postpartum psychosis, which included being hospitalized a total of 
three times, Melanie jumped to her death from a 12-story window ledge 
on June 11, 2001.
  Melanie was not alone in her pain and depression. Each year over 
400,000 women suffer from postpartum mood changes. Nearly 80 percent of 
new mothers experience a common form of depression after delivery, 
known as ``baby blues.'' The temporary symptoms of ``baby blues'' 
include mood swings, feelings of being overwhelmed, tearfulness, and 
irritability, poor sleep and a sense of vulnerability. However, a more 
prolonged and pronounced mood disorder known as postpartum depression 
affects 10 to 20 percent of women during or after giving birth. Even 
more extreme and rare, postpartum psychosis, whose symptoms include 
hallucinations, hearing voices, paranoia, severe insomnia, extreme 
anxiety and depression, strikes I in 1,000 new mothers.
  Postpartum depression and psychosis afflicts new mothers 
indiscriminately. Many of its victims are unaware of their condition. 
This phenomena is due to the inability of many women to self-diagnose 
their condition and society's general lack of knowledge about 
postpartum depression and psychosis and the stigma surrounding 
depression and mental illness. Untreated, postpartum depression can 
lead to self-destructive behavior and even suicide, as was the case 
with Melanie. As was seen recently in the case of Andrea Yates of 
Houston, Texas who drowned her five children, postpartum depression and 
psychosis can also have a dire impact on one's family and society in 
general.
  In remembrance of Melanie Stokes and all the women who have suffered 
from postpartum depression and psychosis, as well as their families and 
friend who have stood by their side, I am introducing the Melanie 
Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act which will:
  Expand and intensify research at the National Institute of Health and 
National Institute of Mental Health with respect to postpartum 
depression and psychosis, including increased discovery of treatments, 
diagnostic tools and educational materials for providers;
  Provide grants for the delivery of essential services to individuals 
with postpartum depression and psychosis and their families, including 
enhanced outpatient and home-based health care, inpatient care and 
support services.
  It is my hope that through this legislation we can ensure that the 
birth of a child is a wonderful time for the new mother and family, and 
not a time of mouming over the loss of yet another mother or child.

                          ____________________