[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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