The House on Monday voted 382-3 to pass a bill (HR 20) that would authorize $3 million in grants in fiscal year 2008 to study the causes and treatments of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, CQ Today reports.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), also would provide grants through HHS for the "establishment, operation and coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services" for women with the conditions and their families.
Depression
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders affecting approximately 340 million people in the world. No one is immune from depression - it occurs in people of all social classes, all countries and all cultural settings.
Advertisement
The measure initially would have directed NIH to conduct research on postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, but a House subcommittee in July approved an amendment that changed the language from "directed" to "encouraged." The bill would authorize "such sums as necessary" to continue the research for FY 2009 and FY 2010. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the measure could cost $15 million over five years if grants and other programs in the bill are funded.
The bill also encourages the National Institute of Mental Health, NIH and the HHS secretary to carry out a national campaign to increase awareness and knowledge of postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, the AP/Google.com reports.
![Risk Factors]( "Risk Factors")
The measure also includes language that calls for a study into mental health issues related to abortion and miscarriages. Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.), who opposes abortion rights, said that although postpartum depression is a serious disease, it is "just as important to know the effects of adoption, miscarriage and abortion in order to properly help women".
According to a CDC study, about 18% of women experience depression after giving birth. The Senate has introduced a companion bill (S 1375) that does not contain abortion-related language. According to a Rush aide, Rush's staff will speak with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), sponsor of the Senate legislation, about making his measure more similar to the House bill. Rush said, "No longer will postpartum depression be dismissed as mere 'baby blues'".
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation
LIN/V
Advertisement
The measure also includes language that calls for a study into mental health issues related to abortion and miscarriages. Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-Pa.), who opposes abortion rights, said that although postpartum depression is a serious disease, it is "just as important to know the effects of adoption, miscarriage and abortion in order to properly help women".
According to a CDC study, about 18% of women experience depression after giving birth. The Senate has introduced a companion bill (S 1375) that does not contain abortion-related language. According to a Rush aide, Rush's staff will speak with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), sponsor of the Senate legislation, about making his measure more similar to the House bill. Rush said, "No longer will postpartum depression be dismissed as mere 'baby blues'".
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation
LIN/V
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Mental Health News
Hospitals have reported an increase in mental illnesses with the scorching temperatures this summer.
Undetected and untreated adolescent depression in Canada calls for improved care.
Within every workplace, conflicts are inevitable occurrences that can stem from diverse reasons and requires better measures to be settled.
People who have experienced physical abuse in their childhood move on to achieve increased levels of life satisfaction and psychological well-being.
The link between an increased number of population-adjusted bipolar diagnoses and reduced suicide rates among boys identified.