One of the privileges of my office
as Board President of Redmond Chorale is learning about organizations for which
I was completely unaware. Listening to a passionate people share their
mission and vision for their organizations and knowing that we are able to help
them is very humbling.
This concert seasons partner is
POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL OF WASHINGTON. This amazing organization
is run with a host of volunteers and only two part time staff members. I met
with one of the two, Mia Edidin recently to learn about PSI of WA. Mia has been
with PSI for 8 years and is a licensed clinical social worker.
Having been around for 30 years, PSI
of WA is a statewide organization that provides
support for women dealing with Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)
What they do is 1) Raise awareness,
2) enlighten professionals 3) support those impacted by PMAD’s and 4) Foster
connections between all.
One of their most used services is a
Warm line for moms in distress. It is answered
by volunteer therapists and moms who are volunteering to give back after having
been there themselves. Each person that calls the Warm line
is sent literature regarding PMAD and resources in their communities.
Through PSI of
WA, there are 15 support groups throughout the state that help families
going through PMAD.
One of the facts Mia shared with me
is that though there is only a small percentage of women who experience a
myriad of medical issues associated with pregnancy and birth, though all are
tested for these things as a matter of precaution. 10-20 % of new mothers experience
post-partum depression, and that it is the number one complication of
pregnancy, and mothers are rarely screened for it.
Also, due to the stigma associated with mental illness, very few new moms seek
assistance. That is why training professionals to identify the signs and
symptoms and know where to refer a new mom is so important.
What I didn’t realize is that PMAD’s
can affect a family long after those first few months after birth.
Here are some statistics:
·
20% of mothers and 10% of fathers
will experience a PMAD
·
Maternal suicide rates increase 44%
in the postpartum year
·
Depressed mothers have less
affectionate contact with infant and less time mutually engaged with child as
toddler
·
Moms with PMAD are less likely to
breastfeed, read/sing to infants, bring babies to doctor visits, and use safety
practices with infants
All of these things affect early
childhood development, which is why these disorders can affect a family for
years after a child is out of diapers, and why support and appropriate
treatment is so important to a family.
So I asked Mia, how RC’s gift would
help PSI of WA in their mission.
Our gift
could go to train a new support group leader
Or
Buy supplies
for a group
Or
Print the
literature that is sent to the women who call into the Warm
line for a year!
Or
to
scholarships for professionals to get trained
Connections! I get to
come and sing some awesome music on Monday nights and then perform it for some
great audiences and touch lives in meaningful ways. What a privilege! Thanks to chorale member Evelyn F who let us
know about this great organization!
Save the Date: March 22nd 7pm
for an
Appalachian Spring
Ceytha B
