[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 77 (Thursday, June 15, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5966]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself and Mr. Durbin):
  S. 3529. A bill to ensure that new mothers and their families are 
educated about postpartum depression, screened for symptoms, and 
provided with essential services, and to increase research at the 
National Institutes of Health on postpartum depression; to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I rise today with my good friend Senator 
Durbin to introduce the Mom's Opportunity to Access Help, Education, 
Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression, MOTHERS, Act. Senator 
Durbin has been and continues to be a leader on this issue and I am 
grateful for the opportunity to work with him on this important 
legislation. I would also like to recognize Representative Rush, who 
has been a champion for women battling postpartum depression, PPD, in 
the House for many years. I am proud to say that his bill, The Melanie 
Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act, shares the same 
goals as the legislation I am introducing today.
  In the United States, 10 to 20 percent of women suffer from a 
disabling and often undiagnosed condition known as postpartum 
depression. Unfortunately, many women are unaware of this condition and 
often do not receive the treatment they need. That is why I am 
introducing the MOTHERS Act, so that women no longer have to suffer in 
silence and feel alone when faced with this difficult condition.
  Recently, the great State of New Jersey passed a first-of-its-kind 
law requiring doctors and nurses to educate expectant mothers and their 
families about postpartum depression. This bill was introduced in the 
State legislature by State Senate President Richard Codey. The 
attention Senator Codey and his wife, Mary Jo Codey--who personally 
battled postpartum depression--have brought to the issue is remarkable. 
Brooke Shields, a graduate of Princeton University, has also shared her 
struggle with postpartum depression publicly and should be commended 
for her efforts to bring awareness to this condition. Postpartum 
depression affects women all across the country, not just in New 
Jersey, and that is why I believe the MOTHERS Act is so important.
  In America, 80 percent of women experience some level of depression 
after childbirth. This is what people often refer to as the ``baby 
blues.'' However, each year, there are between 400,000 and 800,000 
women across America who suffer from postpartum depression, a much more 
serious condition. These mothers often experience signs of depression 
and may lose interest in friends and family, feel overwhelming sadness 
or even have thoughts of harming their baby or harming themselves. 
People often assume that these feelings are simply the ``baby blues,'' 
but the reality is much worse. Postpartum depression is a serious and 
disabling condition and new mothers deserve to be given information and 
resources on this condition so, if needed, they can get the appropriate 
help.
  The good news is that treatment is available. Many women have 
successfully recovered from postpartum depression with the help of 
therapy, medication, and support groups. However, mothers and their 
families must be educated so that they understand what might occur 
after the birth of their child and when to get help. The legislation I 
am introducing today will require doctors and nurses to educate every 
new mother and their families about postpartum depression before they 
leave the hospital and offer the opportunity for new mothers to be 
screened for postpartum depression symptoms during the first year of 
postnatal check-up visits. It also provides social services to new 
mothers and their families who are suffering and struggling with 
postpartum depression. By increasing education and early treatment of 
postpartum depression, mothers, husbands, and families will be able to 
recognize the symptoms of this condition and help new mothers get the 
treatment they need and deserve.
  The MOTHERS Act has another important component. While we continue to 
educate and help the mothers of today, we must also be prepared to help 
future moms. By increasing funding for research on postpartum 
conditions at the National Institutes of Health, we can begin to 
unravel the mystery behind this difficult to understand illness. The 
more we know about the causes and etiology of postpartum depression, 
the more tools we have to treat and prevent this heartbreaking 
condition.
  We must attack postpartum depression on all fronts with education, 
screening, support, and research so that new moms can feel supported 
and safe rather than scared and alone. Many new mothers sacrifice 
anything and everything to provide feelings of security and safety to 
their innocent, newborn child. It is our duty to provide the same level 
of security, safety and support to new mothers in need.

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