Those interested in learning about depression related to pregnancy and childbirth are invited to attend a Perinatal Mental Health Workshop, scheduled for Thursday, April 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus in Clearfield.
Organizers of the event include Pam Shurer, left, and Deborah Bowers of Clearfield Home Health. To register, please call 814.768.2000.
Click here to download the registration form (pdf, 21KB).
Sponsors of the event are Clearfield Hospital Home Health, the Jennifer Mae Bowers Memorial Foundation, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and The Tri-County Professional Social Workers.
The workshop will focus on depression and bipolar disorder during the pregnancy and postpartum periods. Though the target audience is social workers, nurses and mental health professionals who come in contact with young mothers and babies during the perinatal period, community members are also invited to attend.
Organizers Deborah Bowers and Pam Shurer of Clearfield Home Health, along with Eileen Anthony of Bright Horizons Center for Emotional Wellness, said the workshop is being held in memory of Jennifer Mae Bowers, a Clearfield native who was diagnosed with severe postpartum depression following childbirth.
Although Ms. Bowers sought treatment and received support from family and friends, she was unable to overcome the condition and died by suicide in 2007.
Mrs. Shurer and Mrs. Bowers said they want to increase public awareness about perinatal depression to prevent similar tragedies.
What is perinatal depression?
According to Mrs. Shurer, about one in eight women suffers a form of perinatal depression, also referred to as postpartum depression. This condition can affect any woman – regardless of age, race, income, culture or education. Researchers believe it may be triggered by hormonal changes that happen at childbirth.
Symptoms can begin any time in the first year after giving birth. They include: feeling very anxious or worrying too much, irritability, difficulty sleeping, trouble concentrating, loss of interest in food, overeating, not feeling up to doing everyday tasks, frequent crying and showing too much (or not enough) concern for the baby.
A very small number of women suffer a rare and severe form of perinatal depression called postpartum psychosis. Symptoms of this form of depression include extreme confusion, hopelessness, seeing things or hearing voices and thoughts of hurting one’s self or others.
Mrs. Shurer and Mrs. Bowers said that perinatal depression is often not recognized or treated because some normal pregnancy changes cause similar symptoms and are happening at the same time. Tiredness, problems sleeping, strong emotional reactions and changes in body weight may occur during and after pregnancy. But these symptoms may also be signs of depression.
In addition, some women don’t seek medical care because they feel guilty or ashamed that they are not experiencing the joy they should be as a new mother.
“Women need to know they are not alone in their struggle with perinatal depression. Any woman experiencing symptoms should seek medical help immediately. With treatment and support, most women can overcome perinatal depression,” Mrs. Shurer said.
Workshop to feature two experts
Mrs. Bowers said the workshop will feature two speakers who are well known for their expertise and research in the field of psychiatry: Katherine Wisner, M.D., M.S., and Scott Turkin, M.D.
Dr. Wisner is Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Director of Women's Behavioral HealthCARE at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Her main focus is research related to the psychiatric treatment of women of childbearing age.
She is recognized as an expert in the treatment of depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period, is widely published and lectures nationally and internationally. Dr. Wisner will be donating her appearance fee to the American Association for Suicide Prevention.
Further information about Dr. Wisner’s work may be found at: http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/wbhc/staff.shtml.
Dr. Turkin has been a staff psychiatrist with DuBois Regional Medical Center since 1997 and the medical director for Behavioral Health since 2001. He is a board certified psychiatrist and was elected a Fellow in the American Psychiatric Association.
In 2003, he became a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the same year founded the DRMC Psychiatric Research Department, which has participated in more than 10 clinical trials to date. He was elected to be a member of the Board of Councilors of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders from 2005-2007.
He has been an examiner for the Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, helping to decide who becomes board certified in this specialty. He also served as a reviewer for the journal Bipolar Disorders. Further information about Dr. Turkin is available at: http://www.drmc.org/bhcout.php
“I feel strongly that this topic, perinatal depression, is an unmet public health need and that education about it as well as collaboration between the many disciplines that interact with this population are crucial for better recognition and treatment. In addition, the opportunity to have Dr. Wisner's participation is a boon for the community and to co-present with her is an honor for me,” Dr. Turkin said.
Registration information
Funding for the workshop has been received through a grant from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. The program has been approved for continuing education credits for physicians, social workers and nurses.
There is a registration fee of $20, with a $10 additional charge for the continuing education certificate.
A registration form may be downloaded by clicking here (pdf, 21KB), or may be obtained by calling Mrs. Shurer or Mrs. Bowers at 814.768.2000. Deadline for registration is April 1.
For more information about behavioral health services at Clearfield Hospital, please contact Bright Horizons Center for Emotional Wellness at 814.768.2137 or see the link below.
Related Links