HRES 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.
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This resolution expresses support for designating May 6th as National Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day. It aims to raise public awareness and understanding of maternal mental health conditions, which significantly impact families and contribute to preventable pregnancy-related deaths. The resolution highlights the need for increased access to treatment, research, and support for at-risk communities, including military families and underserved populations.
Key provisions
- Designates May 6, 2026, as National Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day.
- Supports raising public awareness of maternal mental health conditions.
- Recognizes the disproportionate impact on high-risk communities.
- Acknowledges the risks associated with untreated maternal mental health conditions.
- Encourages Federal, State, and local governments to support the awareness day.
- Promotes public awareness of maternal mental health conditions.
- Calls for further research and funding for prevention and treatment efforts.
- Encourages the use of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.
Who is affected
- Mothers
- Infants
- Military Families
- Veterans
- Medically Underserved Mothers
Notable changes
- Highlights the need for increased access to screening and treatment.
- Emphasizes the preventable nature of many pregnancy-related deaths linked to mental health conditions.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yoursRead the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. RES. 1256
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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
That the House of Representatives—
National Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day;
recognizes the risks affiliated with untreated maternal mental health conditions and the negative health impacts on mothers and their children;
acknowledges the need for further research on, and prevention and treatment of, maternal mental health conditions; and
encourages Federal, State, and local governments and citizens of the United States—
to support National Maternal Mental Health Awareness Day through programs and activities; and
to promote public awareness of maternal mental health conditions.