•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 ma-
ternal 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 pre-
mature and low birth weight babies, impaired maternal- 
infant bonding and parenting activities, impaired cog-
nitive development in children, and increased risk of emo-
tional and mental health disorders like depression, anx-
iety, 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 dis-
orders is multigenerational and is estimated to be 
$14,200,000,000 annually in the United States; 
Whereas maternal mental health conditions, including psy-
chiatric 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 aware-
ness, 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 
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•HRES 1193 IH 
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 en-
sure all women have access to obstetric providers, mental 
health professionals, and community-based supports by 
providing training opportunities, adequate provider reim-
bursements, 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 sup-
port; 
Whereas low-income mothers who face food and housing in-
stability 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 un-
derserved 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 men-
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•HRES 1193 IH 
tal 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 sui-
cide 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 treat-
ment for maternal mental health disorders so that 
suffering mothers and their families can recover and 
thrive. 
Æ 
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