Over 30% of Latinas in the U.S. and Mexico Suffer Perinatal Depression

USA - English

• Latin America - español

Postpartum Support International Unveils New Spanish Language Educational DVD

"MADRE SALUDABLE, FAMILIA FELIZ"

Offered to Hospitals & Healthcare Agencies Nationwide As Part of Clinical Training & Education Program Helping Alleviate the #1 Complication of Child Birth: Untreated Depression

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Postpartum Support International (PSI), the world renowned organization dedicated to bringing awareness to women's reproductive mental health and removing the stigma associated with Perinatal Depression, is unveiling their all-new Spanish language educational DVD, "Madre Saludable, Familia Feliz," distributing it to Hospitals & Healthcare Agencies nationwide in an effort to help inform Latina women suffering from Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMAD's). 

Intended to provide pregnant and postpartum women, their families, and their health care providers further insight into the psychological and physiological effects of Perintal Mood & Anxiety Disorders, the DVD's English counterpart "Healthy Mom, Happy Families," is being offered to hospitals across the country to be incorporated into their women's education and childbirth support programs.        

"The statistics for Latinas suffering from mental illness related to childbirth and untreated depression continue to climb; and, depression continues to be the number one complication of pregnancy.  We know many of these new mothers are not asked about feeling depressed or anxious during their pregnancy by a health care provider," said Dr. Lucy Puryear, president, Postpartum Support International.  "Our hope is to reach as many families and clinicians working in support of mothers and babies in this very important segment of our population." 

"PSI's goal is to heighten awareness among families and health care providers, reduce stigma, and strengthen the ability to assess and treat these very real and devastating illnesses," continued Dr. Puryear.  "By offering an educational tool useful across cultural healthcare platforms, our hope is that Spanish-speaking women who are pregnant and postpartum will feel encouraged to reach out and will have access to appropriate treatment.  When a woman is able to become adequately informed, screened or treated for maternal depression, not only is her individual suffering alleviated but the chances for positive outcomes for her baby and entire family are greatly improved."

In one 2009 study which investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their associated risk factors during pregnancy in Latinas in the United States and Mexico, prevalence of depressive symptoms was 32.4% for pregnant Latinas and 36.8% for Mexicans. * 

Another study done in 2005 found that Hispanic women have higher rates of depression than non-Hispanic women but are less likely to be identified as depressed.   It states that the lifetime prevalence of depression in Hispanics … is 37%, 12% higher than found in the general population. **

"Madre Saludable, Familia Feliz" and "Healthy Mom, Happy Families," serve to help viewers identify risk factors, recognize symptoms of these debilitating illnesses, and gain a more comprehensive understanding of how maternal mood disorders affect a mother and her family.  They also offer a review of evidence-based treatments and interventions effective for treating Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders (PMAD's).  They feature four women who have suffered from and survived PMAD's.  Sharing their experiences, these women offer hope and reassurance to expecting and new parents, their family members and health care professionals.  Their poignant stories are complemented by up-to-date information from renowned experts in the field:  Postpartum Support International's immediate past president Birdie Meyer, R.N., M.A., Pec Indman, Ed.D., LMFT, and Caroline Little Cribari, M.D., Ph.D.  Dr. Laura Sirulnik, a New York-based psychiatrist whose practice focuses on the healthcare needs of Hispanic women, is also featured. 

"La depression en el embarazo y la que aparece despues del parto, significa un tremendo sufrimiento para la mujer en un momento donde ella misma y la sociedad esperan goce y alegria," said Dr. Sirulnik.  "Estos sintomas sorprenden y confunden a la mujer y a la familia, la mujer experimnenta una total incongruencia, donde la depression le aleja de toda posibilidad de gratificacion en su rol de madre."

Dr. Sirulnik believes, "El silencio, el no pedir ayuda perpetua el sufrimiento y el dano a vos misma, al bebe y a tu familia!"

"Madre Saludable, Familia Feliz" and "Healthy Mom, Happy Families" were made possible with proceeds contributed from country music artist Wade Bowen's annual celebrity concert and golf tournament to benefit the programs of Postpartum Support International.

Postpartum Support International (PSI) is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to helping women suffering from Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder's, including postpartum depression, the most common complication of childbirth. PSI was founded in 1987 to increase awareness among public and professional communities about the emotional difficulties that women can experience during and after pregnancy. The organization offers support, reliable information, best practice training, and volunteer coordinators in all 50 U.S. states as well as 26 countries around the world. Working together with volunteers, caring professionals, researchers, legislators and others, PSI is committed to eliminating stigma and ensuring that compassionate and quality care is available to all families. PSI's website can be found at www.postpartum.net.

* Lara, M.A., Le, H-N., Letechipia, G. and Hochhausen, L. (2009). Prenatal depression in latinas in the U.S. and Mexico.  Maternal and Child Health Journal, 13(4), p. 388–404.

** Chaudron, L. H., Kitzman, H. J., Peifer, K. L., Morrow, S., Perez, L. M., & Newman, M. C. (2005). Self-recognition of and provider response to maternal depressive symptoms in low-income Hispanic women. Journal of Women's Health, 14(4), 331-338.

Artwork Available Upon Request

English translation of Dr. Sirulnik quote:
"Depression in pregnancy and that which appears after (partum), is shown by tremendous suffering for the woman in the moment when both she and society expect enjoyment and happiness," said Dr. Sirulnik.  "These symptoms surprise and confuse the woman and her family, the woman experiences a total incongruence, where the depression removes all possibility of gratification in her role as mother."

Continues Dr. Sirulnik, "Silence, not asking for help, perpetuates the suffering and the damage to yourself, the baby, and your family."

SOURCE Postpartum Support International