[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 136 (Thursday, October 11, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10648-S10649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Fitzgerald):
  S. 1535. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for 
research on, and services for individuals with, postpartum depression 
and psychosis; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and 
Pensions.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Melanie 
Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act with my colleague 
from Illinois, Senator Fitzgerald. This legislation develops a 
coordinated approach for understanding and treating the devastating 
mental health disorder of postpartum depression.
  This act is named for Chicago native Melanie Stokes, a successful 
pharmaceutical sales manager and loving wife of Dr. Sam Stokes, who 
gave birth on February 23, 2001 to 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. Mrs. Stokes was in and out of hospitals three 
times, each for a week to 10 days. She stopped eating and drinking and 
refused to swallow pills. Her weight dropped rapidly. Despite medical 
assistance and the support of her family and friends, Mrs. Stokes lost 
her battle with postpartum psychosis. Melanie jumped to her death from 
a 12-story window ledge on June 11, 2001. In addition to Melanie 
Stokes, in my own home State of Illinois, three other women suffering 
from postpartum depression or psychosis have committed suicide since 
June 11.
  These women were not alone. Studies indicate that 50 to 75 percent of 
all new mothers undergo the ``baby blues,'' a feeling of let-down after 
the emotional experience of childbirth. Serious postpartum depression 
affects 10 to 20 percent of women who manifest symptoms including 
excessive worry or exhaustion, sadness, feelings of guilt, apathy, 
phobias, sleep problems, physical complaints and marked fear of 
criticism of mothering skills. These symptoms may last from 3 to 14 
months. The most severe form of postpartum depression, postpartum 
psychosis, is characterized by hallucinations, hearing voices, 
paranoia, severe insomnia, extreme anxiety and depression, and deluded 
thinking in addition to many of the other symptoms of postpartum 
depression. Postpartum psychosis often requires hospitalization. While 
this severe form occurs fairly infrequently, affecting an estimated one 
in 1,000 new mothers, it may have the most grievous consequences 
including attempts at self-harm, suicide, or harm to others. Clearly 
postpartum depression is a significant problem with major societal 
costs.
  While postpartum depression is a widespread problem, there are 
currently few research studies looking into its causes and there is 
currently no standard treatment for women suffering from this disorder. 
Given the lack of coordination amongst those interested in 
understanding and treating such a widespread problem, science and 
medicine have made few inroads into helping the many women and their 
families carrying the burden of postpartum depression. This legislation 
seeks to rectify this situation.
  This bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to 
organize a series of national meetings, with the goal of developing a 
research and treatment plan for postpartum depression and psychosis. 
Further, this legislation encourages the Secretary to implement the 
research and treatment plan in a timely fashion. The bill also creates 
a new grants program, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Administration, to provide

[[Page S10649]]

women and their families with treatment and services.
  In Illinois alone there are at least 175,000 births a year. Even 
using the conservative estimate that 10 percent of mothers will suffer 
from postpartum depression, this suggests that over 17,000 women, in 
the State of Illinois alone, and 400,000 women nationwide will 
experience the devastating symptoms of this disorder each year. 
Developing new treatments for this disorder should be a top priority.
  I am pleased that Senator Fitzgerald has joined me in cosponsoring 
this bill. In the House of Representatives, Representative Rush has 
already introduced this legislation and it enjoys wide bipartisan 
support with 90 cosponsors at this time.
  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.
                                 ______