Sonia Murdock, BA
Sonia Murdock is an international advocate and educator on mental health related to childbearing. While her sister experienced postpartum psychosis and severe postpartum depression, Sonia found it was difficult to find help and information, so in 1998 Sonia and Emily Sampino co-founded the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, Inc. and she serves as the Executive Director. The agency provides emotional support, educational information, support groups and healthcare referrals to New York State women at risk for and experiencing a perinatal mood disorder. In 2001 the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, Inc. was the recipient of Postpartum Support International’s Jane Honikman Award in recognition as a model Postpartum Parent Support Network for the United States and worldwide.Sonia is the Past President of Postpartum Support International (PSI) of Santa Barbara, California. She has also served as a Board of Trustees member of the Downstate New York Healthy Start Project Governance Board, New York State Perinatal Association, National Association of Mothers’ Centers and Mercy Haven. She also is the Co-Chair of United Way of Long Island’s Success By Six Healthy Births/Healthy Start Committee. She is a member of the Marce Society, Depression After Delivery and Long Island Women’s Agenda.
She trains on perinatal depression throughout the United States and world-wide with presentations at the United Nations and in South Africa and Canada.
Interviewed locally, nationally and internationally by radio, print and broadcast and cable TV, Sonia appeared for the entirety of Tragedy in Houston - a live 2 hour special on MSNBC reported by Ashleigh Banfield the day after the Andrea Yates tragedy. This special also included celebrity Marie Osmond and Dr. Bob Arnot. Sonia has also appeared on Court TV with anchor Catherine Crier, the Ricki Lake Show, Telecare’s God Squad and Life Through A Woman’s Eyes and on African American Media Network’s Voices and Suffolk County Department of Health’s Something of Substance. Numerous interviews have also included the Associated Press, Reuters News Service, The Washington Post, New York Daily News, Woman’s World, Newsday, Long Island Woman, Long Island Parenting News and was a featured guest on Ed Lowe’s WLUX morning radio show.
Sonia was honored by Volvo Life Awards as a Top 100 Hero for 2004. Suffolk County, New York Legislator Angie Carpenter presented Sonia with a Certificate of Volunteer Appreciation, and the New York State Senate and Senator Kemp Hannon nominated her as a Woman of Distinction. She was a Woman of Substance Woman of the Year and Excellence in Service nominee.
Sonia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. Before co-founding the Postpartum Resource Center of New York, Sonia had 10 plus years experience in fundraising, marketing and sales promotion. Sonia and her husband Patrick reside in Islandia, New York.
Title
Executive Director, Postpartum Resource Center of New York, Inc.
Contact
109 Udall Road
West Islip, NY 11749
Phone: (631) 422-2255
Fax: (631) 422-1643
postpartum@aol.com
www.postpartumNY.org
Nonprofit, self-help organization providing emotional support, educational information, healthcare and support group referrals to New York State women and their families at risk for or experiencing a perinatal mood disorder. Telephone support volunteers, Circle of Caring support group, trainings on PPD screening, assessment and treatment and support group replication. Organization recognized by Postpartum Support International as model postpartum parent support program. Serves as New York Coordinator for Postpartum Support International.
Helpline: (631) 422-2255; Collect calls accepted from those in need.
Office Hours: Monday-Friday all calls returned by 5pm
Insurances Accepted/Managed Care Accepted: None
