Tragedy Focuses Attention on Postpartum Psychosis

Statement of NOW President Kim Gandy

September 6, 2001

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The National Organization for Women is speaking out on the Andrea Yates case to call attention to the need for better response by the medical community, law enforcement and the judiciary to the problem of postpartum depression and psychosis. Everyone who has read of this case is disturbed by Yates' actions and deeply saddened by the death of her children. As a mother, my heart goes out to this family and to the community that has suffered such a great loss. We hope that a broader discussion about the mental health issues involved may prevent a similar tragedy in the future, and may increase the help available to other families coping with such a crisis before it turns deadly.

If we, as a society, allow Yates' case to be treated as a freak crime, stand by while the state of Texas executes her, and then move on to the next sensationalized story, we will have failed in our responsibility to address the larger issues. The overheated dialogue and the repeated characterization of Andrea Yates as "a monster" and "evil" interfere with the kind of clearheaded dialogue we must have in order to prevent the infliction of such misery on another family.

The media's oversimplification of this case, and in some cases their misrepresentation of NOW's role, are both deplorable and dangerous. NOW has not created a legal defense fund for Andrea Yates. NOW is not raising money for her. The Houston Area NOW chapter leaders have directed concerned people to a fund already set up by Yates' lawyers. Like any other criminal defendant, Yates is entitled to a fair trial with appropriate legal representation. Just as Andrea Yates' crime shocked the nation, Texas' desire to put to death a person who may be mentally ill should shock the nation's conscience.

We are asking questions that need to be asked: Why was Andrea Yates released from the hospital in a severely depressed state? Was it because her health insurance did not provide coverage adequate to her needs? Why wasn't she given any help with 5 children after being released in this condition? Did her health care providers sufficiently inform her and/or her family about her condition and the attendant risks? Was she receiving appropriate treatment, and if not why not? And most importantly, why aren't the Texas authorities asking these questions?

Postpartum psychosis occurs in connection with approximately 1 out of 1,000 births. Those women and their families should benefit from increased awareness of this illness. I have two little girls, and I was never once counseled by my midwife or obstetrician to watch for the well-established warning signs. This must never happen to another new mother. NOW is urging the National Institutes of Health to increase research into postpartum depression and psychosis. And we're asking the greater medical community to provide women with the information and care we need and deserve.
 
 

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