[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E254-E255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCING MELANIE BLOCKER-STOKES POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION RESEARCH AND 
                                CARE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2003

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Melanie 
Blocker-Stokes and all women who have suffered in silence from 
postpartum depression and psychosis. I am pleased that 47 of my 
colleagues have joined me in introducing the Melanie Blocker-Stokes 
Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act.
  Chicago native, Melanie Blocker-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

[[Page E255]]

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 1 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 Mrs. Blocker-Stokes. This was also evident in the case of Andrea 
Yates of Houston, Texas who drowned her five children.
  This is why it is important for us to treat this silent disease which 
can have a dire impact on ones family and society in general. The 
challenge that we have as a Member of Congress is to bring awareness to 
all Americans, particularly families who have women who will give birth 
soon, or have given birth recently. This is a preventable disorder.
  In remembrance of Melanie Blocker-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 Blocker-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 joyous occasion time for the new mother and 
family, and not a time of mourning over the loss of yet another mother 
and child.

                          ____________________