Expressing support for the designation of May 6, 2026, as "National Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day" and prioritizing the goals and ideals of raising awareness and understanding of maternal mental health conditions.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1256 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1256

 Expressing support for the designation of May 6, 2026, as ``National 
 Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day'' and prioritizing the goals and 
ideals of raising awareness and understanding of maternal mental health 
                              conditions.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 4, 2026

  Ms. Letlow (for herself, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mrs. Kim, and Mrs. 
  Kiggans of Virginia) submitted the following resolution; which was 
            referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing support for the designation of May 6, 2026, as ``National 
 Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day'' and prioritizing the goals and 
ideals of raising awareness and understanding of maternal mental health 
                              conditions.

Whereas 1 in 5 women, and 1 in 3 medically underserved women, experience a 
        maternal mental health condition each year, impacting an estimated 
        800,000 American families;
Whereas over \1/3\ of female active duty servicemembers and military spouses, 
        and almost \2/3\ of retirees, are diagnosed with a maternal mental 
        health condition during the perinatal period;
Whereas maternal mental health conditions are among the most common health 
        conditions during the perinatal period, including anxiety, substance use 
        disorder, and depression;
Whereas 22.5 percent of pregnancy-related deaths were caused by a mental health 
        condition, of which approximately \1/3\ of mothers died by suicide and 
        \2/3\ by overdose;
Whereas 87 percent of pregnancy-related deaths (and 100 percent of deaths by 
        suicide and overdose) are preventable;
Whereas maternal mental health conditions increase the risk of infant mortality, 
        preterm birth, and low birth weight, and impede infant growth and 
        development;
Whereas 75 percent of mothers with a maternal mental health condition never 
        receive treatment;
Whereas untreated maternal mental health conditions cost the United States 
        economy $14,200,000,000 each year due to productivity loss, preterm 
        births, child behavioral and developmental costs, and other health 
        costs;
Whereas maternal mental health conditions during the prenatal and perinatal 
        periods are easily treatable with increased access to risk assessments, 
        regular screening, and other early intervention mechanisms; and
Whereas more research and funding are needed to build upon evidence-based best 
        practices for improved screening and treatment efforts, expand access to 
        and quality of treatment and prevention services, and improve health 
        outcomes for mothers, infants, and communities: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes and supports the designation of ``National 
        Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day'';
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of a national day to 
        raise public awareness and understanding around maternal mental 
        health conditions, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, 
        and maternal mental health's disproportionate impact on high-
        risk communities, including servicemembers, veterans, rural 
        mothers, and other medically underserved mothers;
            (3) recognizes the risks affiliated with untreated maternal 
        mental health conditions and the negative health impacts on 
        mothers and their children;
            (4) acknowledges the need for further research on, and 
        prevention and treatment of, maternal mental health conditions; 
        and
            (5) encourages Federal, State, and local governments and 
        citizens of the United States--
                    (A) to support National Maternal Mental Health 
                Awareness Day through programs and activities; and
                    (B) to promote public awareness of maternal mental 
                health conditions.
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