GH to address postpartum depression

General Hospital will use one its current storylines to help educate viewers about a problem that impacts ten-percent of all new mothers: postpartum depression. In an upcoming public service announcement, the show will tell new moms where they can go for help in the event that they are overcome by post-pregnancy emotions.

General Hospital will air a public service announcement this week in conjunction with a storyline it has been telling for several months. GH and Postpartum Support International (PSI) have partnered to create the PSA, which first airs on Thursday, April 16.

"Millions of women's lives can be saved by ending the fear and isolation of sufferers and offering access to treatment resources," said PSI president Birdie Gunyon Meyer, RN, MA, in a statement. "We are grateful to ABC Daytime following up with a public service announcement and helping to raise awareness of what is truly the most common complication of childbirth."

Founded in 1987, in its mission statement, PSI states that it was created to "eliminate the denial and ignorance of emotional health related to childbirth."

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The public service announcement features Kimberly McCullough (Robin Scorpio), whose character is a new mother dealing with postpartum depression. For several weeks, Robin has been plagued by overwhelming emotions and anxiety. During the May Sweeps period, Robin will finally come to terms with her illness and join a support group that will feature real-life mothers who have had battled postpartum depression.

According to the Mayo Clinic one in ten new moms experiences a more serious case of "baby blues" after childbirth. Postpartum depression, it cautions, "isn't a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes postpartum depression is simply part of giving birth."

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