County Hosts Postpartum Depression Conference

The Placer County Department of Health and Human Services will host a conference on postpartum depression and the effects it can have on new and expectant mothers and their families. The conference will be on Thurs., May 14, 2009, in the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 6365 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The conference will feature guest lecturers who are experts in treating the condition. The day-long session is open to health care and other professionals, educators, expectant and new mothers and their families, law enforcement, and the general public. One of the conference’s goals is to raise awareness of the condition and offer support to both those who deal with it and those who suffer from it.

While the time around having a baby is typically one of emotional well being for most mothers, a substantial number of women will have some level of distress over pregnancy or motherhood. The mildest form of perinatal depression, sometimes called “baby blues” affects up to 80 percent of new mothers. Severe depression during late pregnancy or postpartum periods may affect as many as 20 percent of new mothers.

The May conference is the first to be held in Placer County, and one of the first in the region. One of the conference’s goals is to raise awareness in detection of the affliction. Another is to show professionals and caregivers how to screen for the condition and what to do if it is detected.

“This is a unique opportunity to hear from three internationally recognized experts on postpartum depression,” said Dr. Richard Burton, Placer County Health Officer and Director of Health and Human Services. “Through this conference, and our strong partnership with the community, we are increasing recognition of this critical problem and improving our interventions to ensure healthy outcomes for families in Northern California.”

With high profile incidents of post partum depression having taken place in recent months, more attention is being focused on the condition and how it affects the community. The three featured speakers at the conference, Shoshana Bennett and Jane Honikman and Pec Indman, are nationally recognized experts in the field. Bennett and Indman have authored several books on the subject.