DSL INFO MEMO 99
–06
May 21, 1999
STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Supportive Living
To:
Area Administrators/Assistant Area Administrators
BRC Implementation Advisory Committee
DSL Bureau Directors
Consumer Organizations
County Departments of Community Programs Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors
County Departments of Social Services Directors
County Mental Health Coordinators
CSP Directors and CSP Coordinators
Coordinators, Integrated Service Programs
Directors, Area Agencies on Aging
Director, Mendota Mental Health Institute
Director, Winnebago Mental Health Institute
Mental Health Council
NAMI Wisconsin and Local Chapters
Program Office Directors/Section Chiefs
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators
W-2 Agencies
From: Sinikka McCabe, Administrator
Re: Postpartum Depression
The purpose of this memo is to inform you of the incidence of postpartum depression and
of materials that are available to provide information about postpartum depression. As you
know, depression and prevention and early intervention of depression was identified by the
Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) as one of the three target diagnoses. Postpartum depression
can be identified, treated and even prevented. I encourage you to share this information
with others in your agency who may be interested.
Description
Postpartum depression is a temporary illness that can be devastating to a woman, her
infant and her family if not treated. It affects about 10 percent of all women who have
given birth and can appear any time in the first 12 months after delivery. Postpartum
depression occurs across all ethnic, economic and educational groups, and can happen to
women who usually have seen themselves as "strong and in control of their
lives." Postpartum depression is an obstacle to the mother for developing a secure
emotional bond with her infant and for her confidence in her mothering skills. Most
pregnant women are not educated about the possibility of postpartum psychiatric illness
and health care providers may not recognize these disorders. Postpartum depression is not
the same as "the baby blues", a mild and brief experience of tearfulness and
fatigue frequently experienced in the first two weeks after delivery.
Although any woman can experience postpartum depression, a woman is at greater risk if
she has: 1) a previous episode of depression at any time, including after an earlier
pregnancy or during this recent pregnancy; 2) a previous pregnancy loss such as a
miscarriage or stillbirth; or 3) a family history of depression, anxiety or mental
illness.
It is important to note the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) has reported an
estimated 85 percent of women suffering from postpartum depression can be treated
successfully with therapy, medication and support.
The Maternal and Child Health Education and Training Institute of the University of
Wisconsin has initiated a public awareness initiative on postpartum depression. This is a
collaborative project involving several state, public and private human services agencies
and consumer and family members. Through this initiative, a professional packet and a
"More than Just the Blues" brochure were developed to increase the awareness of
postpartum depression affective disorders and to increase awareness of the resources
available to providers and consumers. In September 1998, provider packets were mailed to
obstetricians, pediatricians, hospitals, clinics, HMOs, local and county public health
departments and other health care providers throughout the state. The provider packets
contain easily read research articles, a suggested postpartum depression screening tool
(the CES-D) and scoring sheet.
Recently counties have participated in completing a survey of local resources for women
with postpartum depression. The survey information will be added to the Wisconsin Maternal
and Child Health (MCH) Hotline database.
To request a provider packet or a "More than the Blues" brochure, contact
Mardell Wueger at the Maternal and Child Health Education and Training Institute, Room 707
in the Warf Building, 610 Walnut Street, Madison, WI 53705, (608) 265-3730 or e-mail mwueger@facstaff.wisc.edu. These materials are
available at no cost. Quantities of the brochure may be obtained by contacting Laurie
Tellier, Division of Public Health, 1414 E. Washington Ave., Rm. 294, Madison, WI 53703,
(608) 267-9662 or e-mail tellib@dhfs.state.wi.us.
CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT: Area Administrator
OFFICE CONTACT:
Rebecca Cohen
Bureau of Community Mental Health
Division of Supportive Living
1 West Wilson Street
P. O. Box 7851
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7851
(608) 266-2712
e-mail: cohenrw@dhfs.state.wi.us
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