Untreated postpartum depression

Kimberly Wong, Postpartum Depression Activist, explains why it is so important to treat postpartum depression and what it can lead to if not properly treated
Importance of Treating Postpartum Depression - KidsInTheHouse.com
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Untreated postpartum depression

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While postpartum depression and related disorders are highly treatable, if left untreated, they can remain and become even more serious and devastating to both the pregnant woman, new mom, and to the new baby; as well as, the whole family. If not treated, the chemical changes that are resulting from the hormonal processes that are occurring during pregnancy and postpartum, can permanently lead to remaining depressed, two, three, four years after giving birth. Families are at great risk, marriages, relationships can be destroyed. The older children in the family are being impacted in that they are not getting the available parent, which is what every child needs. So it is crucial for women who are suffering to get help immediately.

Kimberly Wong, Postpartum Depression Activist, explains why it is so important to treat postpartum depression and what it can lead to if not properly treated

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Kimberly Wong

Postpartum Depression Activist

Kimberly Wong, Founder and Co-Chair of the Los Angeles County Perinatal Mental Health Task Force, has been an attorney with the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office for 17 years and serves as Special Counsel/Legislative Analyst to the Public Defender. Kimberly co-chairs the Legislative Issues Committee of the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council and is a member of the Council’s Executive Committee. As a result of suffering life-threatening postpartum depression in 2003, after her recovery, Kimberly focused on volunteer activity to promote awareness and to increase knowledge about maternal depression. She volunteered as a phone support volunteer through Postpartum Support International and then served on the Board of PSI for three years. 

In February 2007, Ms. Wong formed and currently co-chairs the Los Angeles County Perinatal Mental Health Task Force, a network of over 30 individuals representing more than 15 public and private agencies involved in outreach, screening, and treatment services for perinatal depression and related mood disorders, along with community leaders, research partners, and advocates for mothers, infants, and families. The mission of the Task Force is to create an infrastructure in Los Angeles County to address perinatal mood disorders through education, universal screening and linkage to informed services, with particular focus on high risk women and girls, including those who are court involved, substance abusers and domestic violence victims. The Task Force is a project of Community Partners, its 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. 

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