By the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health

Today, Congress introduced a resolution declaring May 5-11, 2024 “Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week” - marking the first time Congress has officially recognized Maternal Mental Health Awareness.

The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health’s founder, Joy Burkhard, was involved in declaring May as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in the first state, and the Policy Center has been supporting organizations across the nation in doing the same in their states, including, most recently, Indiana and New Hampshire.

Further, the Policy Center’s National Coalition for Maternal Mental Health first hosted maternal mental health awareness week through a social media campaign in 2014 in conjunction with Postpartum Support International and other founding members of the coalition.

“We are thrilled that Congress is recognizing Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week this year and know it will be the first of many years to come,” said Joy Burkhard, Executive Director of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. “With the forthcoming release of the first national strategic plan and corresponding report to Congress next week, we were proud to work with the Maternity Care Caucus to lay this important groundwork this year,” she said.

Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Robin Kelly (IL-02), who serve as co-chairs of the Maternity Care Caucus, introduced the resolution (H.Res. 1193).

This bi-partisan resolution reads,

“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.”

“Untreated maternal mental health disorders impact 1 in 5 mothers and cost the United States $14.2 billion each year. The emotional toll of mental health challenges on women cannot be overstated, yet far too few women seek the help that they need during pregnancy,” said Congresswoman Kim. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan resolution to recognize Maternal Mental Health Awareness week and highlight the importance of maternal health care. I will keep working as co-chair of the Maternity Care Caucus to deliver results and support women, whether they are pregnant, recovering from childbirth, or facing infertility.”

Read Representative Young Kim’s press release here.