MHA Houston Establishes Yates Children Memorial Fund For Women's Mental Health Education

6/19/2002

From: Gay McFarland of the Mental Health Association of Greater Houston, 713-523-8963 (office) or 281-468-2842 (cell)

HOUSTON, June 19 -- The Mental Health Association of Greater Houston (MHA Houston) has created a fund for women's mental health education. The Yates Children Memorial Fund for Women's Mental Health Education (YCMF) is named for Russell and Andrea Pia Yates' children, Noah, John, Paul, Luke and Mary.

"We know that 60-85 percent of all new mothers go through what's known as 'baby blues.' That's normal and usually goes away on its own," said Betsy Schwartz, executive director of MHA Houston. "But one out of every ten childbearing women will suffer from a more serious condition -- postpartum depression. One in every 500 to 1,000 women will suffer from the even graver condition -- postpartum psychosis -- a medical emergency necessitating hospitalization and intervention.

"If psychiatry is the stepchild of medicine, then postpartum illnesses are a far distance cousin! Is it any wonder that so many women are reluctant and ashamed to seek help at a time that is supposed to be the happiest in a woman's life?

"More often than not, women hide their depression and try their hardest to wish it away. One only has to consider the pressures of caring for a new infant in today's fast paced and often isolated communities to know that new mothers and fathers need our help. They need help knowing that not every young mother is happy; that physiological changes in women's bodies have an impact, and that they are not in it alone. We as a society have much to do. We have to pay attention to their cries for help, no matter how subtle they may be. We have to expect and equip family practice doctors, pediatricians, ob-gyns and other medical professional to be able educate mothers and fathers about postpartum illnesses and help them recognize the warning signs. The Yates Children Memorial Fund will do exactly that! We will listen to mothers and fathers, healthcare professionals, and advocates to understand what action will make a difference. The fund will track and advocate for research, educate professionals, and reach out to mothers and fathers. Funds will come from what we believe will be an outpouring of support and will be overseen by the MHA Board of Directors. I am pleased to announce that the MHA Board has raised $30,000 to begin the fund. Donations should be made to MHA: YCMF and can be se sent to MHA or charged through our Web site at mhahouston.org," said Schwartz.

Michael Faenza, president of the National Mental Health Association in Washington, D.C., said, "The outreach initiated by this fund and MHA Houston will fill a great need in educating people about postpartum depression disorders, There is a dearth of information -- and communication -- about many women's mental health issues."

George Parnham, Yates' attorney, said, "MHA Houston is the appropriate organization to begin dialog and communication process between members of the medical profession and between mothers and fathers. MHA Houston is going forward with a positive plan of action. It is with my utmost hope and desire that this educational opportunity will help prevent future tragedies."

Lucy J. Puryear, M.D., recognized nationally for her expertise in women's mental health issues, said, "The time has come to pay attention to an often unrecognized and little understood illness that has profound impact on mothers and their families. Untreated, the results are horrific. The Yates tragedy gives us a rare glimpse into a moment in time when the worst outcome of this illness happens. We have an obligation to mothers and their children to ensure that this does not happen again."

Monies for the fund will come from individual and organizational donations. The fund will be administered by MHA Houston.