Postpartum depression strikes about one in every eight women within about six months of having a baby, but University of Iowa researchers say the rate may be higher for women veterans. Dr. Michael O’Hara, a professor in the U-I Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, is working with the Veterans Administration on a program to help women veterans suffering from postpartum depression, especially those in rural areas.

“Many of them have been exposed to combat situations or have been in war zones or might have experienced sexual or physical abuse while they were in the military,” O’Hara says. “These kinds of exposures to traumatic events are associated with higher rates of depression.” The U-I is now working with about 40 women veterans through an online pilot program that involves six sessions over six weeks targeting mood management.

“The Mom Mood Booster program is basically focusing on helping women who are experiencing postpartum depression to increase their participation in positive events, to manage their negative mood and cognitions,” O’Hara says. “It focuses on the partner relationship and the woman’s relationship with the baby.” Some symptoms of postpartum depression may include low moods, loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities, insomnia, appetite disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts. So far, he says the Mom Mood Booster program is having a positive impact.

“We support it with what we call phone coaches,” O’Hara says. “These are staff members who contact the women veterans every week, provide support and encouragement, answer questions and just help to keep them motivated to go through the program.” O’Hara’s own experiences in the military may help him relate to some of the pressures women veterans are dealing with, as he served four-and-a-half years in the Navy during the Vietnam era.

“Certainly, there weren’t nearly as many women in the service back in those days but I knew many women and they had lots of difficult experiences,” O’Hara says. “It does make a difference being a veteran myself and that’s part of my motivation to reaching out to the VA to do work with veteran women. It feels like I can give back a little bit.” Women in rural areas often don’t seek out or have access to mental health care, so O’Hara says reaching out to rural veteran women is important. The program will run through September and then the V-A will determine whether to continue funding.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Council Bluffs have arrested a transient in connection with burglaries at storage facility. 35-year old Robert Thomas was taken into custody on six counts of burglary following an investigation into incidents which occurred at 1st American Storage this (Wednesday) morning, in Council Bluffs. Thomas was being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail.

Authorities say an Officer with the Council Bluffs P-D was called to the storage facility at 901 West Broadway at around 9:40-a.m., after police received word six storage units had been broken into. About 40 minutes later, the same Officer drove by the storage units again and noticed a suspicious looking male inside the fenced in area.

The Officer made contact with the individual, later identified as Thomas, and was able to locate stolen items from two of the units in his possession. The man was then taken to the Council Bluffs Police Department and questioned by Detectives. Through the work of the initial Officer and the Detective’s questioning, enough probable cause was developed to tie Thomas to all six burglaries.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (Jan. 27, 2016) – The American Red Cross has an emergency need for blood donors. Severe winter weather since Jan. 1 has forced the cancellation of more than 300 blood drives across 20 states, resulting in more than 9,500 donations uncollected, further depleting an already low winter supply. Blood donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Katie Marshall, external communications manager of the Midwest Blood Services Region, says “Blood products are being delivered to hospitals as quickly as donations are coming in. Eligible donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now and help ensure blood products are available for patients.”

The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.

How to donate blood
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a home or work computer prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

Two people were arrested Tuesday night following a traffic stop just east of Clarinda, in Page County. The Sheriff’s Office says the driver of the vehicle, 36-year old Joseph Dean Wallace, of Bedford, was operating the vehicle with fraudulent registration. Wallace was arrested and charged with Fraudulent registration, No drug tax stamp, Driving while license is suspended, possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of a controlled substance (Marijuana) with intent to deliver, and on Page County warrants for simple assault and Burglary 2nd degree. He was processed and is currently being held in the Page County Jail on$15,300 bond.

A passenger in the car, 36-year old Kimberly Ann Briggs, of Clarinda, was arrested on charges of Possession of drug paraphernalia, No drug tax stamp, and Possession of a controlled substance (Marijuana) with intent to deliver. Her bond at the Page County Jail was set at $5000.

Clarinda Police Department Officers assisted with the traffic stop.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The head of the Iowa National Guard says nearly 1,700 positions have been opened up to women this year following a federal policy change.
Major General Timothy Orr told the Iowa General Assembly on Wednesday the spots became available after Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced in late 2015 that women in the U.S. armed forces may serve in any position, including combat roles.

Orr announced the development during his annual “Condition of the Guard” address at the Capitol. The speech included the latest figures on active duty and training. The guard currently has 15 soldiers and airmen deployed around the world. Orr also noted Kosovo will open the first-ever foreign consulate office in Iowa. It is scheduled to open Friday in downtown Des Moines.