Thursday, September 17, 2009
3:00 - 4:30 pm (Eastern)
2:00 - 3:30 pm (Central)
1:00 - 2:30 pm (Mountain)
12:00 - 1:30 pm (Pacific)

Register Online: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/m1scpccgdird

Presenters:
Sarah S. Gibbons, MSS and MLSP, Public Affairs Manager,
Family Planning Council/Pennsylvania Perinatal Partnership

Grace Kolliesuah, MSW, Program Manager, Columbus (OH) Public Health

Moderator:
Maureen Fitzgerald, MPA, CityMatCH

Depression during and after pregnancy, also known as perinatal depression, is the number one complication of childbearing. It affects up to 1 in 7 pregnant women and new mothers, and may impact the physical and mental health of both women and their families. Programs across the country are looking for innovative approaches.

Part 1: In 2008, the Pennsylvania Perinatal Partnership launched an effort to create a national web-based Perinatal Depression Information Network. Such infrastructure is necessary to respond to this public health challenge.

Part 2: The Franklin County (OHIO) Maternal Depression Initiative is exploring the mental health needs of pregnant and parenting women and enhancing the system of care. Columbus Public Health's Caring for Two project conducts routine screenings to identify ante- and post-partum depression. Barriers to receiving appropriate referral and treatment as well as their strategies to address them will be presented.

Learning Objectives

• Define Maternal/Perinatal Depression and its impact on the physical and mental health of women and families.
• Describe the interventions used to address Maternal/Perinatal Depression.
• Describe the role of local health departments in addressing Maternal/Perinatal Depression.
• Describe the development of a National Perinatal Depression Information Network.
• Identify at least two resources for local health departments to address Maternal/Perinatal Depression.

Presenter Biosketches:
Sarah S. Gibbons, MSS and MLSP: Sarah Gibbons is Manager of Public Affairs for the Family Planning Council in Philadelphia (PA), where she manages the development of a nationwide Perinatal Depression Information Network (PDIN). She designs, develops and delivers materials for local, state, and national lobbying and educational efforts with public policy makers and legislators. Gibbons oversees the content of the Council's general website. Previously, Gibbons was a Public Impact Intern at Planned Parenthood (PP) of Chester County, a Clinical Assistant at PP of Chester County, PA, a Sexuality Educator at PP of Southeastern PA, and worked with PP of MN/SD/ND.Gibbons received a Master of Social Service in Policy Practice and Advocacy, and a Master of Law and Social Policy from Bryn Mawr (PA) College's Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. She holds a BA in Women's and Gender Studies from Carlton College in Northfield, MN.

Grace Kolliesuah, MSW: Grace Kolliesuah, Project Director at Columbus Health, directs program services, personnel management and financial management for 4 grant-funded prenatal care, in-home visiting programs, staffed by an interdisciplinary team of nurses, social workers and outreach workers. Kolliesuah creates partnerships with community agencies to promote awareness and education on maternal health and infant mortality.Kolliesuah holds overall accountability for MCH education programs, and for creating and expanding revenue sources. She is a grant-writer, actively involved in the development of programmatic quality improvement plans.Kolliesuah came to Columbus Health in 2005 as a program supervisor. She holds a Masters in Social Work from Ohio State University in Columbus, a Masters in Urban Studies- Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Akron (OH).

Download Presentations:
- PowerPoint
- A Mother's Guide
- Maternal Depression Provider Directory
- Antepartum Questionnaire
- Modified Fatigue Symptom Checklist

Click on the link below to listen to the recording:
Creating a Perinatal Depression Information Network and Practice Observations from the Field