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Community Corner

GOVERNOR QUINN PROCLAIMS MAY PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM MOOD DISORDERS AWARENESS MONTH

Attend Dr. Sarah Allen’s Free Workshop for New Moms at 10 a.m., May 21st in Northbrook Discussing the Emotional Challenges New Moms Face



    For the last ten years, the Illinois Postpartum Depression Alliance has worked with Illinois governors to proclaim May as Perinatal Mood Disorders (PPMD) Month. In honor of this tradition, Governor Pat Quinn issued a proclamation to alert the public about PPMD hoping new moms and moms-to-be will seek treatment, which will save them for unnecessary stress and suffering.
    Dr. Sarah Allen, founder and director of the Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois, is dedicated to promoting awareness, prevention and treatment of maternal mental health issues throughout the state. “Our non-profit organization wants to thank Governor Quinn for his concern about the emotional and physical health of these women.”
     According to Dr. Allen, more information is given to new moms when they leave the hospital, and there are more support groups and professionals trained to help women. “Yet, despite these advances and more information about PPMD symptoms,” says Dr. Allen “many women with PPMD are still not detected by health care professionals and go without treatment.”
    In order to help and support women facing these issues, Dr. Allen is offering a free workshop for pregnant and new moms entitled: Emotional Wellness for Moms, at 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., on Wednesday, May 21st at 3400 Dundee Road, Ste 245, in Northbrook. At this workshop, Dr. Allen will discuss the challenges new moms face and offer ways women can look after themselves emotionally when they have a new baby.
    For more information or to register for the workshop, visit http://drsarahallen.com/workshop/.   Babies are welcome to attend. A suggested donation of $20 for those who can afford it can be made to the PPD Alliance of Illinois to help support their work.
     “Since May honors mothers on Mother’s Day, the PPD Alliance of Illinois selected May as the time to educate women, their families and friends about the nature of these illnesses. Approximately 15 percent of pregnant women and 15 to 20 percent of new mothers experience major or minor depression in the first year after giving birth,” says Dr. Allen.
       If you are not sure if you or a family member may be suffering from PPMD, some of the symptoms are:
    ❑ Numerous worries and panic attacks.
            ❑ Feelings of sadness, fear, anger and guilt.
            ❑ Thoughts of harming the baby or herself.
            ❑ Lack of interest in the baby.
            ❑ Appetite and sleep disturbance.
            ❑ Difficulty concentrating and making decisions.

 PPD Illinois offers a helpline: 847-205-4455 and a website: www.PPDiL.org  for women and their families so they can learn more about pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders and access local resources such as support groups and trained healthcare providers.
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