[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1193 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1193

 Recognizing Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week to raise awareness 
 about maternal mental health and its effects on maternal-child health.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 6, 2024

    Mrs. Kim of California (for herself, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. 
   Swalwell, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mrs. Watson 
Coleman, Ms. Letlow, and Ms. Wild) submitted the following resolution; 
       which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week to raise awareness 
 about maternal mental health and its effects on maternal-child health.

Whereas May 5, 2024, through May 11, 2024, marks Maternal Mental Health 
        Awareness Week;
Whereas maternal mental health is foundational to strong and thriving families, 
        children, and society;
Whereas maternal mental health disorders occur during pregnancy and in the 
        postpartum period, and include a range of disorders like anxiety, 
        depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychosis, as well as other 
        disabling conditions;
Whereas maternal mental health disorders are the most common complication of 
        pregnancy and childbearing, yet far too often, these disorders go 
        undiagnosed and untreated, leaving women and families to suffer alone 
        and in silence;
Whereas less than 15 percent of mothers suffering from maternal mental health 
        disorders receive treatment due to barriers within the health care 
        system;
Whereas untreated maternal mental health disorders have been linked to adverse 
        birth outcomes, including premature and low birth weight babies, 
        impaired maternal-infant bonding and parenting activities, impaired 
        cognitive development in children, and increased risk of emotional and 
        mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and attention deficit 
        disorder in children;
Whereas, untreated maternal mental health disorders impact 1 in 5, or roughly 
        800,000, mothers annually;
Whereas the cost of untreated maternal mental health disorders is 
        multigenerational and is estimated to be $14,200,000,000 annually in the 
        United States;
Whereas maternal mental health conditions, including psychiatric and substance 
        use disorders, are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, with 
        23 percent of deaths tied to suicide or overdose;
Whereas advocacy organizations have recognized the blue dot as the universal 
        symbol of maternal mental health awareness, survivorship and support;
Whereas, during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, we raise awareness on the 
        importance of maternal mental health, remember those we lost to the 
        maternal mental health crisis, and highlight steps to support the well-
        being of America's mothers and families;
Whereas, in recent years, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first 
        drug treatment specifically for postpartum depression, as well as 
        digital therapeutics for maternal mental health;
Whereas, although more research has been conducted to begin to understand the 
        biology that places some women at higher risk for these disorders than 
        others, we need additional research and innovation in new technologies 
        to pinpoint mental health disorders more quickly;
Whereas it is critical to address workforce shortages to ensure all women have 
        access to obstetric providers, mental health professionals, and 
        community-based supports by providing training opportunities, adequate 
        provider reimbursements, and alternative treatment models;
Whereas there is a burgeoning understanding of maternal mental health disorder 
        risk factors, such as younger or older age, high levels of stress, early 
        life adversity, having multiple children, and the lack of family and 
        social support;
Whereas low-income mothers who face food and housing instability are at greatest 
        risk; and
Whereas, despite recent efforts that have been made in the United States, 
        maternal mental health conditions will continue to take a heartbreaking 
        toll on mothers, babies, and families, a burden disproportionately 
        impacting underserved populations and communities: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals and 
ideals of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, including--
            (1) raising awareness of the risk factors, signs, symptoms, 
        and treatment options for maternal mental health conditions for 
        pregnant and postpartum women and their families, the providers 
        who care for them, and the public;
            (2) recognizing that maternal mental health disorders and 
        maternal suicide are serious public health problems;
            (3) honoring the mothers who have died by suicide and the 
        children and families left behind;
            (4) encouraging research on safe and effective treatments 
        for pregnant and postpartum women, dissemination of updated 
        data on evidence-based treatments to the medical community and 
        public, and provider training on the treatment of maternal 
        mental health disorders; and
            (5) promoting initiatives that address provider shortages 
        and increase affordable access to treatment for maternal mental 
        health disorders so that suffering mothers and their families 
        can recover and thrive.
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