Presentation to Suffolk County Legislature

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On May 15, 2007, in recognition of Perinatal Mood Disorders Awareness Month in Suffolk County, New York a presentation was made to the Suffolk County Legislature under the leadership of Presiding Officer William Lindsay. The Honorable Joan Johnson, Suffolk County Women's Advisory Commission Health Committee Co-Chair and Islip Town Clerk, Sonia Murdock, Executive Director, Postpartum Resource Center of New York (PRC of NY) and Gail Burrus, Executive Director of the Suffolk Perinatal Coalition spoke to the legislators about the seriousness of perinatal mood disorders, current support services and the need for continued awareness and treatment services. Included in the presentation was the need for extended coverage of Medicaid for perinatal mood disorders treatment within the first year after having a baby.

Also in attendance were Lori Green, RN, PRC of NY Board Member, Suffolk County Women's Advisory Commission Health Committee Co-Chair and Suffolk Perinatal Coalition's Perinatal Mood Disorders Task Force Co-Chair, Sylvia Genthner, PRC of NY Board Member, Wendy Isnardi PRC of NY Volunteer and Suffolk Perinatal Coalition Staff including Rene Stratton, Co-Chair of the Coalition's Perinatal Mood Disorders Task Force.

Last May Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy declared each May Perinatal Mood Disorders Awareness Month. Besides the special presentation to the Legislature to increase awareness of depression and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum and postpartum psychosis, a special conference was held on May 18th at the Stonebridge County Club in Smithtown. The Suffolk Perinatal Coalition sponsored a conference Perinatal Mood Disorders: Steps to Wellness. It was sponsored with the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, Suffolk County Women's Advisory Commission and the Suffolk County Office of Women's Services.

Opening remarks were provided by Mary Lou Boyle, President and Gail Burrus, Executive Director, Suffolk Perinatal Coalition and Dr. Humayun Chaudhry, Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Services.

Speakers included Mary Jo Codey, Former First Lady of New Jersey, Dr. Margaret Howard, Director of the Postpartum Depression Day Treatment Program of Women's and Infants Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, Mary Sidoti, Director of the Children and Parents Together Program of the Family Service League and Sonia Murdock, Executive Director, Postpartum Resource Center of New York. Deanna Marshall, Executive Director of the Suffolk County Women's Services was the program's moderator.

For information on perinatal mood disorders contact the Postpartum Resource Center of New York
(631) 422-2255
www.postpartumNY.org

To join the Suffolk Perinatal Coalition's Perinatal Mood Disorders Task Force call (631) 475-5400