S.Res. 710

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 710 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 710

Recognizing Maternal Mental Health Day to raise awareness about 
maternal mental health.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 30, 2026

Mr. Marshall (for himself, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Ms. 
Duckworth, Mr. McCormick, and Ms. Blunt Rochester) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Recognizing Maternal Mental Health Day to raise awareness about 
maternal mental health.

Whereas the first Wednesday of May, May 6 of 2026, marks Maternal Mental Health 
Day;
Whereas maternal mental health is foundational to strong and thriving families 
and children, and the family is the fundamental building block of 
society;
Whereas maternal mental health disorders are the most common complication of 
pregnancy and childbearing, yet far too often, these disorders go 
unrecognized, undiagnosed, and untreated, leaving women and families to 
suffer alone;
Whereas approximately 85 percent of new mothers experience ``baby blues,'' and 1 
in 5 new mothers are impacted by maternal mental health conditions, 
affecting 800,000 families in the United States each year;
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 maternal mental health conditions, including psychiatric and substance 
use disorders, are a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, with 23 
percent of deaths tied to suicide or overdose;
Whereas multiple factors increase a mother's risk of maternal mental health 
conditions, including a personal or family history of depression, 
complications during pregnancy, and partner or financial stress;
Whereas, while some research has been conducted to begin understanding the risk 
factors that place some women at higher risk for these disorders than 
others, additional research and innovation in new technologies is needed 
to pinpoint mental health disorders more quickly;
Whereas rural and low-income mothers who face economic instability are at 
greater risk of a maternal mental health condition; and
Whereas, on Maternal Mental Health Day, communities raise awareness of the 
maternal mental health conditions that, despite recent efforts, continue 
to take a heavy toll on parents and children and highlight steps to 
support the well-being of America's mothers and families: Now, 
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals and ideals of Maternal 
Mental Health Awareness Day, including--
(1) raising awareness among pregnant and postpartum women 
and their families, the providers who care for them, and the 
public of the risk factors, signs, symptoms, and treatment 
options for maternal mental health conditions;
(2) honoring mothers for the invaluable role they play in 
society and acknowledging the difficulties maternal mental 
health conditions create for mothers and their families;
(3) recognizing that maternal mental health disorders and 
maternal suicide are serious public health problems; and
(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 
the public, and provider training on the treatment of maternal 
mental health disorders.
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