REFERENCE TITLE: maternal mental health awareness month

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

HR 2014

Introduced by

Representative Shah (with permission of Committee on Rules)

A Resolution

proclaiming may 2022 as maternal mental health awareness month in Arizona.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Whereas, maternal depression is the most common complication of pregnancy. Maternal mental health disorders encompass a range of perinatal mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety and postpartum psychosis; and

Whereas, maternal mental health disorders affect one in five women during or after pregnancy, but all women are at risk of suffering from maternal mental health disorders. One in nine Arizonan mothers suffers from pregnancy-related depression; and

Whereas, the symptoms of perinatal mental health conditions can include anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, guilt, irritability, anger, difficulty sleeping, feeling disconnected from one's baby and frightening and intrusive thoughts; and

Whereas, fewer than 15% of identified cases of maternal mental health disorders are treated as a result of personal, structural and systemic barriers within the health care system. Untreated maternal mental health disorders significantly and negatively impact the short-term and long-term health and well-being of affected women and their children; and

Whereas, maternal depression and anxiety affect a woman's ability to care for herself and engage in healthy parenting behaviors. Maternal depression and anxiety affect parent-child bonding, increase family conflict, lower rates of breastfeeding and can lead to less safe home environments for children; and

Whereas, children of affected mothers are at increased risk for serious health, developmental or behavioral conditions, which can affect their overall development and growth; and

Whereas, despite the prevalence and risks, there is a lack of awareness of maternal mental health disorders among the public and providers, and many mothers feel reluctant to report symptoms and concerns; and

Whereas, evidence-based, cost-effective screening, detection and treatment options are available for mothers and children, but they are not adequately or consistently applied in Arizona; and

Whereas, untreated maternal mental health disorders cause adverse birth outcomes, impaired maternal-infant bonding, poor infant growth, childhood emotional and behavioral problems and significant medical and economic costs, and contribute to more than 25% of maternal pregnancy-related deaths in this state; and

Whereas, the lack of understanding and social stigma of maternal mental health disorders prevent women and families from understanding the signs, symptoms and risks involved with maternal mental health and disproportionately affect women who lack access to social support networks.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona:

That the Members of the House of Representatives proclaim May 2022 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in Arizona.