Advocating for Women with Postpartum Mental Illness: A Guide to Changing the Law and the National Climate

Product Description
Advocating for Women with Postpartum Mental Illness
takes the reader into the world of one of the most misunderstood mental illnesses. Through this book, Feingold and Lewis humanize the mother’s experience and provide vital tools for mental health and legal professionals. Complete with case studies and the authors’ experiences in changing the law in their own state of Illinois, this book is a necessary resource for all.
Review
Feingold and Lewis have created a unique and comprehensive book through exhaustive research and insight. By exposing past mistakes in perinatal psychiatry they provide the foundation for their legal success. A deep and moving triumphant contribution to our movement. -- Jane I. Honikman, founder, Postpartum Support International\nFeingold and Lewis’ writing strongly illuminate the need for the United States judicial system to change laws to postpartum legal cases. It is high time to bring MERCY and JUSTICE for those women who suffer from postpartum psychosis. By developing laws that specifically deal with postpartum illness, the U.S. legal system can join the 37 other countries which have criminal law which reflects judicial fairness; educated, advanced, case sensitive judiciary processes for mothers affected by postpartum illness. -- Catherine Hunter, LCSW, CADC, PMH-C, Catherine Hunter & Associates, Ltd.\nSmartly written and insightful, Feingold and Lewis offer a comprehensive and absorbing guide on both the history of postpartum mental illnesses and the law. They provide a clear roadmap to becoming an advocate for women navigating the legal system.\nThey educate the reader on the complexities of incarceration and maternal mental illness through sensitively told personal stories and case examples. -- Linda Klempner, chair, Postpartum Support International-Advisory Council\nSusan and Barry are the dynamic duo for incarcerated postpartum women in Illinois. This book outlines their expertise and experience around the tragic intersection of the law with postpartum mental illness and provides a guide for making change wherever it is needed. A compassionate, fascinating and necessary read! -- Lita Simanis, coordinator, Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorder Program, AMITA Health\nI am a PPD survivor and don’t really regret my experience because of the opportunity to meet such wonderful maternal mental health advocates as Susan Feingold and Barry Lewis whose dedication to preventing tragic outcomes is inspirational. T
heir revolutionary work on laws governing maternal mental health are detailed in
Advocating for Women with Postpartum Mental Illness: A Guide to Changing the Law and the National Climate
. All individuals who care for expectant and new mothers—whether it be OB/GYNs and their staff, general practitioners and their staff, hospital staff, midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, therapists, social workers, and a new mother’s family members and friends—should read this book! Public awareness is critical in decreasing stigma of postpartum mood disorders. -- Ivy Shih Leung, author, One Mom’s Journey to Motherhood\nFinally a book that sets the record straight about the need to change laws that punish women for psychotic illnesses beyond their control. Dr. Feingold and attorney Barry Lewis have skillfully crafted a text that clearly makes the case for why the criminal justice system needs to reform sentencing guidelines. This work belongs on the bookshelf of every attorney, medical and mental health professional who works in this field. -- Diana Barnes, editor and contributing author, Women’s Reproductive Mental Health Across the Lifespan\nA tremendously important work on a topic that has been grossly misunderstood, stigmatized and marginalized, creating immeasurable suffering for affected women and families. Feingold and Lewis are a dynamic duo, bringing together mental health and legal expertise on postpartum psychosis and drawing from case s