MOMocrat Sarah Granger forwarded us this Media Alert from the California Mental Health Collaborative. “This is a big deal,” she says. “[They are] hoping to help a lot of California women suffering from postpartum depression and related disorders.” As part of the month-long campaign, a rally will be held on the Capitol steps in Sacramento on Monday.
WHAT:Women’s health advocates and physicians from across California will gather on the capitol steps to rally for improved awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of Perinatal and
postpartum mental health disorders (also referred to as maternal mental health disorders).
Special guest Raul Martinez, surviving husband of Kelly Abraham Martinez of Santa Monica, CA will offer remarks. Mr. Martinez lost his wife to suicide in 2010 when their daughter Melina was just three months old. Assemblymember Roger Hernandez, Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Fiona Ma, and Judy Mikacich, MD, representing the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology will also offer remarks.
WHO: The California Maternal Mental Health Collaborative, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the California Legislative Women’s Caucus, and Assemblymember Roger Hernández will co-host the day’s events. Guests include representatives from the women’s leadership and volunteer organization, the Junior League, California Medical Association, the California Department of Public Health, the California Psychological Association and more.
WHERE: The day begins with a [9:15] AM press conference/rally on the East Capitol steps, followed by a panel discussion on emerging treatment considerations inside capitol hearing room 2012.
Panel topics will include: embedding maternal mental health diagnosis and treatment in primary care physician settings like OBGYN and pediatrics, dedicated hospital outpatient programs and inpatient wings, and telemedicine: providing services to women through electronic means in the comfort of their own homes and physician to physician consultations.
