IV 

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 


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•HRES 1193 IH 

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 maternalinfant 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 wellbeing of America’s mothers and families; 

Whereas, in recent years, the Food and Drug Administration 

approved the first drug treatment specifically for 


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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 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 

2 the goals and ideals of Maternal Mental Health Awareness 

3 Week, including— 

4 (1) raising awareness of the risk factors, signs, 

5 symptoms, and treatment options for maternal menVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:03 May 07, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR1193.IH HR1193

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1 tal health conditions for pregnant and postpartum 

2 women and their families, the providers who care for 

3 them, and the public; 

4 (2) recognizing that maternal mental health 

5 disorders and maternal suicide are serious public 

6 health problems; 

7 (3) honoring the mothers who have died by sui8 cide and the children and families left behind; 

9 (4) encouraging research on safe and effective 

10 treatments for pregnant and postpartum women, 

11 dissemination of updated data on evidence-based 

12 treatments to the medical community and public, 

13 and provider training on the treatment of maternal 

14 mental health disorders; and 

15 (5) promoting initiatives that address provider 

16 shortages and increase affordable access to treat17 ment for maternal mental health disorders so that 

18 suffering mothers and their families can recover and 

19 thrive. 

Æ 


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