CRN conducts postpartum depression survey

Mothers of Callaway County, the Callaway Resource Network wants to hear from you.

As part of the network's ongoing project aimed at improving access to maternal mental health resources, CRN's Maternal Mental Health Committee is conducting a survey of area mothers. Questions are aimed at determining whether mothers received screening and/or treatment for postpartum depression.

"We need hard data to back what we've heard so far," said Kellie Pontius, CRN member and Central Missouri Community Action community organizer.

The brief survey should take a minute or less to complete. It can be viewed at surveymonkey.com/r/QLSBKB2.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression following a pregnancy.

"(You believe) that as a new mother, everything's supposed to be wonderful, and you're supposed to feel really in love with your life and your baby," CRN group member Donna Montague told the Fulton Sun last year. "When you're struggling with postpartum depression, it's having a flattening effect (on your emotions). I felt very devoid of my normal emotional response to anything. If you have an awareness that you're supposed to feel one way and you don't, it's very isolating."

Despite being common, the condition is also commonly missed.

"We were surprised to learn that there are no federal policies that mandate screenings for postpartum depression," Pontius said. "Thirteen states do require it, but Missouri is not one of them."

There's also confusion about who should administer the screenings: The primary care physician, an OB/GYN or someone else entirely. That's one of the issues the Maternal Mental Health Committee is trying to address.

Without proper treatment, affects can linger for years.

"In addition to affecting the mother's health, it can interfere with her ability to connect with and care for her baby and may cause the baby to have problems with sleeping, eating, and behavior as he or she grows," the NIMH's webpage on postpartum depressions said.

Pontius said the committee hopes to connect with local physicians and mental health providers about postpartum depression.

Having hard data from the survey will help the committee apply for grants to help spread awareness and help mothers, she added.

"For example, we'd love to set up a pot of money to use for prescription copay assistance for mothers being treated for postpartum depression," Pontius said.

Previously, CRN has screened a movie about postpartum depression, "Dark Side of the Full Moon," to raise awareness about the condition. Pontius said she hopes to continue screening the film, particularly at the local colleges.