H.Res. 1256

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