Suffolk County Executive Bellone Announces May is "Perinatal Mood And Anxiety Disorders Awareness Month" In Suffolk County
County to Host Free Screening Events for Residents
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced the dedication of May as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Awareness Month. As part of the awareness campaign 83 sites, including libraries, hospitals, and WIC centers, across the County will be displaying educational materials and resources to support mothers and families.
Additionally, the Suffolk County Office of Women’s Services, in partnership with the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Maternal and Infant Community Health Collaborative and Suffolk County Women, Infant and Children (WIC), will be hosting free screening events for mothers with symptoms of Postpartum Depression at 5 County libraries, 8 WIC Centers, and 3 HRHCare Health Centers.
“Postpartum depression is a serious illness that not only affects mothers, but has lasting impacts on the child and other family members as well,” said County Executive Bellone.“Throughout the month of May we will be working to increase resources across the County to ensure everyone is educated and receives the support they need.”
Free Screening Events will take place as follows:
May 1 from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Bay Shore -- Brightwaters Public Library
1 South Country Rd.
Brightwaters, NY
May 4 from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Central Islip Public Library
33 Hawthorne Ave
Central Islip, NY
May 15 from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Riverhead Free Library
330 Court St.
Riverhead, NY
May 15 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Middle Country Public Library
101 Eastwood Blvd.
Centereach, NY
May 17 and 18 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Brentwood Public Library
34 Second Ave.
Brentwood, NY
Throughout the entire month of May, free screenings will be offered from 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM at the following WIC locations:
· HRHCare Elsie Owens Health Center
· HRHCare Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center
· HRHCare Marilyn Shellabarger Health Center
· HRHCare Brentwood Family Health Center
· HRHCare Maxine Postal Tri-Community Health Center
· Northwell Health Dolan Family Health Center
· HRHCare Riverhead Health Center
· HRHCare Kraus Family Health Center
Additionally, the following HRHCare Health Centers will host free screenings:
· HRHCare Brentwood Family Health Center on May 13 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
· HRHCare Maxine S. Postal Tri-Community Health Center on May 20 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
· HRHCare Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center on May 21 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
65 Suffolk County libraries, 8 HRHCare Health Centers, 8 New York State WIC locations in Suffolk County, and 2 local hospitals, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center and Saint Catherine of Siena Medical Center, will be hosting displays containing educational materials and resources for support and treatment throughout the course of the month.
The upcoming events, free to the public, focus on increasing awareness throughout the county for mothers, fathers, family members, faith based communities, health care providers, mental health professions and public servants.
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, better known as postpartum depression, affects 1 in 5 women during pregnancy and/or after the birth of a child. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders affect not only the mother experiencing these symptoms, but also the newborn and other members of the family.
For additional resources, residents can contact the Suffolk County Office of Women’s Services helpline at (631) 853-8222, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
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