CBS CARES PARTNERS WITH POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL TO LAUNCH PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT AND ONLINE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
PSAs Will Debut During "Cold Case" on October 15 and
Will Feature Show Actors Kathryn Morris and Danny Pino
Dr. Margaret Spinelli of Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute Serves as Consultant
CBS Cares has partnered with Postpartum Support International [PSI] to launch a Public Service Announcement and online education campaign on postpartum depression, it was announced today by Martin Franks, Executive Vice President, Planning, Policy & Government Affairs, CBS Corporation, and Susan Dowd Stone, President of PSI. The PSAs will debut during an episode of COLD CASE titled "Baby Blues" on Sunday, Oct. 15 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). This episode includes a storyline whereby a mother admits to feeling stressed out with the demands of a new baby, along with being a working mother. The PSAs will feature COLD CASE actors Kathryn Morris and Danny Pino.
The PSAs will include warnings about the severity of postpartum depression, including the negative emotional and physical effects on the mother, infant and family if the mother is not treated. To help with early detection, the PSAs will highlight symptoms such as tearfulness, mood swings and difficulty connecting with one's baby. Each PSA will remind new mothers and family members that no one is to blame and that this is an easily treatable medical disease.
"As a broadcaster, we are uniquely positioned to educate the viewing public, and we believe postpartum depression is an under-served cause that needs more exposure," said Franks. "Given the severe-yet-treatable nature of this illness, we are pleased that Postpartum Support International brings a nationwide network to offer support and education on a local level to mothers and families suffering from this condition."
"These PSAs represent the most comprehensive national public health initiative ever undertaken to bring awareness to perinatal mood disorders," said Dowd Stone. "With the potential of reaching millions of women, partners and families, lives can be saved by ending the isolation of sufferers and offering access to treatment resources. PSI strongly commends CBS Cares and COLD CASE for devoting their substantial talents and resources to raise awareness of this critical and underserved public health issue. We are honored to be partners in this worthy community outreach."
The CBS Cares Website (www.cbs.com/cbs_cares/.com) will provide additional information such as interviews with field experts discussing the symptoms of perinatal illness and treatment options. The CBS Cares site will link to the PSI website, which lists local resources available and includes a helpline number -- 1-800-944-4773.
Dr. Margaret Spinelli, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Director of Maternal Mental Health Program, New York State Psychiatric Institute, served as a medical consultant for the PSAs and online campaign. She also served as a medical expert for the Andrea Yates retrial.
"The CBS Cares campaign is an important pioneering effort by the television industry to end the stigma surrounding postpartum depression and promote the importance of early intervention and treatment," said Spinelli. "Postpartum depression is the most common complication of childbirth, with often devastating -- even sometimes fatal -- effects on mothers and children. I am proud to have been consulted for the CBS Cares campaign and am certain that it will help millions of families who unnecessarily suffer."
For the first time, CBS Cares will make available a Spanish-language version of the PSAs featuring Danny Pino to any broadcaster or cable operator wishing to run them, and will do so without the CBS Cares logo, allowing entities to brand them as their own. The CBS Cares website will include the English and Spanish-language versions.
On November 17, PSI is honoring both CBS Cares and COLD CASE for their commitment to this illness with PSI's Excellence in Media Outreach Award. Further information on this gala event is available on PSI's website.
This postpartum initiative builds on CBS Cares' commitment toward highlighting underserved health issues, including a campaign on depression that was hailed as network television�s "most expansive" campaign on the disease. The campaign was also recently honored with the Outstanding Media Award for Public Service from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
About CBS Cares:
At the heart of CBS's public service commitment is the multiple award-winning CBS Cares campaign, which consists of PSAs created by CBS and featuring talent from a wide array of programming. These PSA's have addressed numerous causes including HIV/AIDS, alcohol abuse, breast cancer, child abuse, education, literacy, menopause, mental health, obesity, prostate cancer, violence prevention, the V-Chip and women's heart disease. Some PSAs refer viewers to CBSCares.tv, which has been described by the Harvard School of Public Health as a "breakthrough website." With Network PSAs as its fulcrum, CBS Cares has been built into a public service project, now involving every media asset of CBS.
Postpartum Support International is the world's largest organization offering support, referrals, education, training and resources to health care providers, women and their families coping with perinatal mood disorders. With coordinators in 48 states and 26 countries around the world, PSI is well-positioned in this partnership to continue its mission fulfillment of eradicating perinatal mental illness in every community. www.postpartum.net , 1-800-944-4773.
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