FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kim Lehman, 717-599-0891 kalehmanpr@gmail.com
Postpartum Support International Conference Heads in Kansas City;
Leading Perinatal Mental Health Experts to Share Research
Focus on Fathers: One in Seven Men Experience Perinatal Mental Health Disorder; Support and Treatment are Accessible and Effective;
New Discoveries Will Lead to Better Care, Greater Awareness
June 20, 2023—KANSAS CITY, Mo.— In its ongoing efforts to provide support to parents, raise awareness about perinatal mental health disorders (PMHDs), and educate health professionals, nonprofit Postpartum Support International (PSI) hosts 36 of themth annual meeting June 28 through July 2 in Kansas City, Mo. Research shows postpartum depression and other PMHD, including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and psychosis, affects 800,000 people a year, but only 25% of them receive treatment and many parents do not know that what they are experiencing is normal and treatable.
“We are excited to bring our annual conference to beautiful Kansas City and to showcase the amazing team of PSI staff and volunteers based here,” said Wendy Davis PhD, PMH-C, executive director of Postpartum Support. International. “I experienced a perinatal mental health disorder in 1994 after my son was born, and it’s truly inspiring to see how far we’ve come since then—to witness the effort, ingenuity, and enthusiasm that this conference has and is critical to. in the field of perinatal mental health.”
During the conference, hundreds of volunteers, mental health professionals, health care providers, researchers, and advocates will gather to train and learn from peers, hear from experts in the field about the latest research and treatment developments, and strengthen the network of parents and professionals changing the dialogue about perinatal mental health.
Conference sessions will feature topics including “Coloring the Conversation,” with the PSI Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for people of color; “Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health”; “Therapeutic Tools for Owning Your Story”; and “Doing It All for My Baby: A Multidisciplinary Exploration of Contemporary Fatherhood.”
In addition to the start of the conference this month, June is when Americans celebrate fathers and fatherhood, which is no fun for PMHD sufferers.
“As a society, we tend to think more about mothers when it comes to perinatal mental health concerns, but we know that as many as one in seven men experience depression or anxiety during the perinatal period, which includes pregnancy, loss, and 12 months postpartum,” said Postpartum Support International Advisory Board Member Psychologist Daniel Singley, Ph.D. “Societal norms dictate that men should be supportive and strong, making them less likely to seek support or treatment for PMHDs. We need to remove the stigma often associated with perinatal mental health disorders for mothers and fathers.
Singley also said that another barrier to understanding and treating PMHDs in fathers is that men often present with different symptoms of depression. It can manifest itself as anger, irritability, frustration, and being short-tempered with people, or withdrawing from relationships. Fathers may begin to drink more alcohol or use other substances.
“We’ve found that many mental health professionals don’t associate these types of behaviors with the fact that the father may be depressed or have anxiety. We’re working to change that with our resources,” Singley said. . “No one should have to suffer, and these conditions are common and treatable.”
Recent tragedies involving Lindsay Clancy in the Boston area and Paulesha Green-Pulliam in San Francisco have brought PMHDs to the forefront of national news. Although the symptoms vary, these disorders usually make parents feel alone and helpless. They can be paralyzed by anxiety and doubt in their parenting ability, which can lead to feelings of regret and despair at a time that society dictates should be one of the happiest in their lives.
PSI will also host a Climb Out of the Darkness awareness event and unity walk on Saturday July 1 from 7 am to 2 pm in Washington Square Park. The event is free and open to the public and will include yoga and barre classes and an agenda full of family activities.. Proceeds from donations and sponsorships will benefit Kansas City Full Parent Foundationthat promotes the mental health and well-being of all mothers, birthing people, partners, and support systems in the Kansas City area.
If you or someone you know is interested in registering for PSI’s annual conference, visit here.
Parents and their loved ones should know that support and care are available, and that you don’t need a diagnosis to get help. PSI offers coordination, convenience, and peer support, helping people find the right resources online and in their own communities, including Kansas City. Parents can call or text the PSI Helpline for support and resources at 1-800-944-4773 (English and Spanish); text “help” to 1-800-944-4773 (English) or 971-203-7773 (Spanish); or visit postpartum.net.
PSI has an online Perinatal Mental Health Provider Directory that lists specialty groups and providers by location and insurance coverage and operates a Perinatal Psychiatric Consultation line where any medical provider can consult with a specialized perinatal psychiatrist. without charge. PSI facilitates more than 30 virtual support groups including those for military families, fathers, LGBTQIA+ families, Spanish speakers, and more.
About Postpartum Support International
Founded by a new mother in 1987 to increase awareness in the public and professional communities about the emotional difficulties women can experience during and after pregnancy, Postpartum Support International (PSI) offers many resources for a wide range of needs and situations in give families the strongest and healthiest start possible through support and community. PSI offers support, resources, best practice training and certification for health care professionals and peer supporters nationwide and in more than 30 countries. PSI is committed to eliminating stigma and ensuring that compassionate, quality care and support is available to all families. Call or text 1-800-944-4PPD (4773) or learn more about postpartum.net.
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