May Is Mood Disorders Awareness Month; County Hosts Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression/Anxiety Seminar

(Hauppauge, New York-May 15, 2013)- On Thursday, May 16, 2013, from 5:30pm-8:30pm, the Suffolk County Human Services, Office of Women’s Services will host a free informational program: ”Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression/Anxiety: “What Everyone Needs to know About Postpartum Psychosis:”  It’s more than just the “baby blues” at the Seatuck Environmental Association, 550 South Bay Ave, Islip, NY 11751.

Co-hosting this event are the Suffolk County Executive’s Office of Women’s Services,  Postpartum Resource Center of New York Inc., the Suffolk County Department of Health and Suffolk Perinatal Coalition’s Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Task Force. A light dinner will be served at 5:30pm.

Guest speakers will include Margaret Spinelli, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Teresa M. Twomey, JD-Author of Understanding Postpartum Psychosis: Temporary Madness.

“I applaud the Office of Human Services for their continued service to Suffolk County residents,” said County Executive Bellone.   “The myriad of programs and workshops they offer assist residents and meet the needs of our communities.” 

“Since 2009 Suffolk County has recognized May as “Perinatal Mood Disorder Awareness Month” in an effort to better educate the public on the impacts of this problem, and to offer better services for women in need of help,” stated Legislator Browning. “I thank our Office of Women Services for offering this important forum at no cost in order to provide much needed assistance and preventative services. Through education we can better reduce the impacts of this common disorder.”

“Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the most common medical complication related to childbearing, according to Sonia Murdock, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Postpartum Resource Center of New York Inc. “It is critical for Suffolk County  families and the community to be aware of this illness. It is important to become part of the safety net and know how to support those in need since pregnancy and postpartum depression/anxiety will affect 4,000 parents in Suffolk County this year.’

Grace Ioannidis  of Women’s Services for the County said, “We are pleased to host this annual event with a focus on increasing awareness of Perinatal mood disorders for the mother, father, family members, faith based communities, health professional and public servants.”     

In 2009 , County Legislator Kate Browning introduced legislation designating May as Perinatal Mood Disorders Awareness Month in Suffolk County.

For more information about this event, contact Suffolk County Executive’s Office of Women’s Services at (631) 853-8284.

###