Ellen Story, a Democratic state representative from Amherst, Mass., is working on a state bill that addresses postpartum depression. Through her research and meetings with leaders in women’s health, Story found that all new mothers to be screened for PPD. While she received strong support and the legislation passed in 2010, it has hit some roadblocks along the way:

As the bill made its way through the legislative process, however, it was changed. The heart of the bill, universal screening, raised concerns for insurers and doctors. And funds for the bill’s other provisions, such as public education, were nearly nonexistent. Fortunately, the law that passed does take important steps forward. It calls on the state Department of Public Health, a strong partner throughout the process, to issue regulations on best practices and data collection for screening. They are making excellent progress.

The law also created a diverse 34-person Commission, including health care providers, insurance representatives, survivors, legislators and state agency representatives, and many others, charged with advancing best practices in screening, referrals, treatment, and public and professional education.

Story is co-chairing this commission and we are eager to see the results. While mandatory screening might not have made it to the final legislation, we applaud the progress that is being made and give a big thanks to Story for tackling this important issue.

Read Story’s piece on this topic in the Boston Globe.

Here’s a great post from PostpartumProgress.com with ideas for moms who need some child care resources. Taking a break can be so critical for moms going through PPD.

A mother may be in crisis for all sorts of reasons, whether it’s postpartum depression, a debilitating illness, economic turmoil, problems of addiction or abuse, or something else. Whatever the reason, it’s so important for them to feel they have a safe place for their children to go, whether it’s for a few hours or a few days. For many of these women, lack of childcare is a major barrier to getting help.

Take a look at this list and let us know what other ideas you might suggest.

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Violent deaths are outpacing traditional causes of maternal mortality, such as hemorrhage and preeclampsia, and conflicts with intimate partner are often a factor, researchers report.

“We found that the mortality rate from homicide and suicide were more common than what we think of as traditional causes of maternal mortality,” said Dr. Christie L. Palladino, an obstetrician-gynecologist and educational researcher at Georgia Health Sciences University. “It’s not what you want to read, but it’s the reality.”

The analysis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Violent Death Reporting System, a surveillance system from 17 states, found 94 pregnancy-associated suicides and 139 homicides from 2003-07. Overall, 64.4 percent of pregnancy-associated violent deaths – classified by the CDC as death during pregnancy and the following year – occurred during pregnancy. The mortality rate was 4.9 per 100,000 live births.

The findings, published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, are a wakeup call for health care providers and families alike about the need for mental health awareness and treatment at a time typically associated with great joy, said Palladino who is working to enhance training of obstetrician-gynecologists in depression diagnosis and treatment.

Read the full story from Georgia Health Sciences University.

Moving Into Motherhood will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 at the Center for Women, 129 Cannon St. in downtown Charleston. Parking is available in the lot at 30 Bee St., directly behind the Center for Women office building.

Hosted by the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation, Moving Into Motherhood offers support and education for new moms as well as chance for moms to simply connect with other women going through the same life-changing experience of motherhood. It meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.

The speaker is Stacey Crew, author and organizing expert. A mother of two, Crew regularly speaks about home and office organization. Her book, “The Organized Mom,” is a step-by-step guide for new moms needing to figure out what do with all the “stuff” that comes with a new baby.

The group is free but donations to the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation are welcomed and appreciated. For questions or to RSVP, please contact Holly Fisher at 843-991-1689.

If we believe the books, movies and websites, babies are all swaddled bundles of joy leaving new moms swooning. But new moms know after the swooning, there’s the lack of sleep, showers and sanity. No full-time job is as demanding as caring for a newborn, especially if it’s the first one. Moms have tons of questions about their babies and themselves. That’s where Moving into Motherhood can help.

Hosted by the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation, Moving into Motherhood offers support and education for new moms as well as chance for moms to simply connect with other women going through the same life-changing experience of motherhood.

The group meets from 5:30-7 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays at the Center for Women, 129 Cannon St. in downtown Charleston. The kick off meeting is Thursday, Oct. 13. Parking is available in the lot at 30 Bee St., directly behind the Center for Women office building.

The group is free but donations to the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation are welcomed and appreciated. For questions or to RSVP, please contact Holly Fisher at hollyannfisher@gmail.com or 843-991-1689.

In addition to education and outreach, our Foundation exists to help women struggling with PPD – plain and simple. We host support groups twice a month and give grants to women who can’t otherwise afford medical treatment for PPD. This woman recently received a grant and we sent us this note:

Thank you so much for all the help you have given me. My entire family thanks you because they feel they got the wife/mom/sister/daughter back that went away for some time. May God bless you & the Ruth Craven Foundation.

And that’s exactly why we do what we do.

Shopping and supporting a great organization – we definitely see that as a win-win situation! Check out iGive.com. Register and select the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation as your nonprofit of choice. Install the iGive button on your web browser toolbar. Use it when shopping online (a ton of great stores and sites participate) and the Foundation receives a little piece of the shopping pie. Let us know if you try it out and thanks for your donations and support! Also, check out iGive.com on Facebook.

Our executive director, Risa Mason, is featured in The Post and Courier’s “Moxie” section today, talking about PPD and the upcoming Moms’ Run to benefit the Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation. Read the full article.

One of the stars of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” recently spoke candidly about her three-year struggle with postpartum depression. On iVillage.com, Peggy Tanous – a mom of two and a former model – tells why she felt so strongly about sharing her story on television.

Read the interview and let us know what you think.

On Mother’s Day weekend, honor moms everywhere by supporting a cause that helps women and their families suffering from postpartum depression in the Lowcountry and beyond. The Ruth Rhoden Craven Foundation is hosting the eighth annual 5K Moms’ Run/Walk at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 7 at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island.

The annual certified event is the foundation’s largest fundraiser and furthers its efforts of educating, supporting and healing women suffering from postpartum depression.

“This event is all about moms and their families. We want to recognize women across the Lowcountry and beyond who are currently dealing with this illness or have recovered from it. This is a chance for all families to enjoy a fun event and support a very important cause” says Risa Mason, licensed clinical psychologist and foundation executive director.

The Foundation was created in 2000 in memory of Ruth Rhoden Craven; a young mother who suffered from postpartum depression following the birth of her first child. Just two and half months following her son’s birth, and with no prior history of mental illness, Ruth committed suicide. Ruth’s mother Helena Bradford and two of Ruth’s closest friends formed the Foundation as way to honor Ruth’s memory, prevent similar tragedies from occurring and help other women to access quality treatment and recover from this fairly widespread and often overlooked illness.

Late registration and packet pick-up is from 6:30-7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 7 at Blackbaud Stadium. The race starts promptly at 8 a.m. at Blackbaud Stadium and continues through the scenic Etiwan Park neighborhood before ending back inside Blackbaud Stadium for the Finish Line Celebration. Festivities continue until 11 a.m. with the popular band Soul Fish, free food and refreshments from Daniel Island restaurants, fun for the kids and family friendly vendors. The awards ceremony will begin at  9:30 a.m.

Daniel Island Grille, 259 Seven Farms Drive, is hosting a pre-race pasta dinner from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, May 6. Cost is $10 for pasta dinner and salad. The Foundation also will benefit from a post-race reception and Make Your Own Bloody Mary Bar at Daniel Island Grille beginning at noon. A portion of the proceeds from both events will benefit the Foundation.

Registration is $25 per person; $10 for children 12 and under (including a T-shirt). Strollers are welcome. For more information, visit the Moms’ Run page.