Tuesday, October 23, 2007

News: House passes bill on post-partum depression

Congress is taking steps to help women suffering from post-partum depression.

Chicago Congressman Bobby Rush has sponsored a new bill to provide screening and treatment for women who suffer severe depression after giving birth to a child.
The bill is named in memory of Melanie Blocker Stokes of Chicago, who committed suicide while suffering from the mental illness.

She left behind a daughter, Summer, now 6, and a husband.

Her family is celebrating the bill's passage in the House and is hoping it will soon pass the Senate.

Currently, less than 15 percent of new mothers receive treatment for the illness, which is the most frequent serious complication of pregnancy.

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