Aid for New Mothers, which is in the process of changing its name to PASSâ€"CAN (Postpartum Adjustment Support Servicesâ€"Canada),, was founded in 1974 in Toronto to reduce the stresses of the postpartum period on mothers. Over the past 20 years, the organization has grown and now offers a comprehensive range of postâ€" partum services such as new mother and baby discussions groups, a new parent information line, and specialâ€" ized services for families in need. "We were the first country in the world to have a postpartum support group," Beltzner says. "And this is the first time the federal government has supported this conference. We‘re now on the national agenda." Postpartum mood and anxiety disâ€" orders affect an estimated 60,000 families in Canada each year. The symptoms experience range from depression and anxiety to acute psyâ€" chosis. About 170 people attended this conference from all over the world. It was designed for professionâ€" als and lay persons who deliver serâ€" vices to pregnant and postpartum women including doctors, childbirth educators, lactation counselors, social workers, and nurses. Among the conâ€" ference topics were Mood Disorders with Postpartum Onset and the Effects of Postpartum Depression on Children. One of the ironies of this conferâ€" ence is that even though Beltzner â€" based in Oakville â€" has been the drivâ€" ing force behind it, not one doctor from Halton attended it. "This has never been here before and it will never be here again," she says. "I don‘t understand why doctors from Halton didn‘t attend as this is a chance to deal with these important issues." The government has shown its support for postpartum issues through its grant of $45,000 for Aid for New Mothers, a sponsor of this conference. For more information about Aid for New Mothers, contact Eileen Beltzner at $44â€"9009. "There were two goals that had to happen," explains Beltzner. "We had to legitimize the issue of postpartum adjustment and secondly, we had to educate professionals. This conferâ€" ence brings together the consumer and professionals so that both can learn more about postpartum adjustâ€" ment support." When Eileen Beltzner attended the annual _ Postpartum _ Support International Conference five years ago in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. James Hamilton â€" a prominent professor from Stanford â€" asked her when the conference would come to Canada. At the time, Beltzner didn‘t take him seriously. But Hamilton had planted the seed for Beltzner, director of Aid for New Mothers in Oakville, who organized the first conference in Canada, held this past June in Toronto. BY SHELLY SANDERS GREER Special to the Beaver Helping women cope with postpartum mood anxiety Eileen Beltzner: helping new moms cope. You are invited to OPENING DAY Thursday, Aug. 4/94. 5 p.m. â€" 8 p.m. Refreshments are being served. 2 demonstrations with Lymphodrain machine at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Hamilton â€" 40 Centennial Pkwy. North (Across from Eastgate Square) 573â€"6030 Oakville â€" 490 Speers Rd. (1/4 mile west of Dorval Rd.) 842â€"5229 GET THE STYLE YOU WANT AT THE PRICE YOU WANT AND THERE‘S... 825â€"5950 _ IYMPHOBIOLOGY Clinic Nothnq 1131 Noflnr;gglll Gate Oakville, Ontario I | | | | | | U Present this coupon and receive Lymphatic drainage with Lymphodrain for $30 reg. ExpiSy Dgte Sept.)6/94 . ACAR THAT LEAVESYOU SPEECHLE CaP 2 CaWP 2 NOT PENNVLESS BMW ANNOUNCES A 4.8%* FACTORY LEASE 3181 4â€"DR. $299* PER MONTH Atzen® K pudds® ©BMW. OAKVILLE * Lease based on a 318i 4 Dr. $299* per month, $6000.00 preâ€"payment, plus taxes, freight P.D.E. Offer ends August 31"/94 or while supplies last. YOU‘RE NOT GONNA PAY A LOT AT MEINEKE Not valid in conjunction with any other advertised special. * Offers valid with coupons only. Oakville 501 Speers Rd., Unit No. 2 842â€"9977 Individually Owned Operated by Dennis Ciaccia 2400 SOUTH SERVICE ROAD WEST 845â€"3577 "The Family Business That Service Built" DISCOUNTYT MUFFLERS