Oct. 17, 2001
From: George Humphrey, (520) 626-7301
EVENT: WOMEN'S MENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM

DATE/TIME: SATURDAY, NOV. 17, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

PLACE: Kiewit Auditorium, Arizona Cancer Center, 1501 N. Campbell Ave.

COST: $5 (includes lunch)

INFO: Please call 626-6047 regarding registration or any other questions.

Health experts from the University of Arizona Department of Psychiatry will present a half-day Women's Mental Health Symposium, Saturday, Nov. 17, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Arizona Cancer Center's Kiewit Auditorium.

"Women suffer more than men from depression and anxiety disorders," says Marlene Freeman, MD, director of the Women's Mental Health Research Program at the Arizona Health Sciences Center. "Due to stigma and lack of knowledge, depression and anxiety disorders often are not detected or treated. Untreated depression in mothers has negative effects on their children. And treatments in women must take into account issues concerning pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause."

The World Health Organization estimates that in developed nations, mental disorders and suicide account for 15 percent of the burden of disease -- more than all cancers combined. In the United States alone, mental illness affects an estimated 40 million adults and as many as 9 million children and adolescents. Suicide is the nation's eighth-leading cause of death.

While both genders are burdened by the tremendous personal and financial toll that mental illness exacts, females suffer in higher numbers from certain conditions. Women are affected twice as often as men are by most forms of depression and anxiety disorders, for instance, and nine times as often by eating disorders.

Some of the topics and presenters for the Nov. 17 symposium are:

"Women's Mental Health: Are We Different Than Men? What Are Our Needs?" -- Marlene P. Freeman, MD

"Motherhood and Mood: Postpartum Depression and the Consequences of Untreated Maternal Depression" - Marlene P. Freeman, MD

Break-out session I

* "Menopause, Mood and Memory" - Marlene P. Freeman, MD

* "Protecting our Daughters and Ourselves, Safety Tips from a Forensic Psychiatrist" - Scott Freeman, MD, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry

* "Anxiety Disorders: An Overview for Women," Joanna Katsanis, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry

Break-out session II

* "Traumatic Experiences and Post-traumatic Stress Disorders," Chelsea Chesen, MD, assistant professor of clinical psychiatry

* "Smoking-Cessation for Women," Hugh Miller, MD, clinical associate professor, UA College of Medicine.

"Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder," Marlene Freeman, MD

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