HM 56 — "MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH"

HOUSEA MEMORIAL 56RECOGNIZING 57THTHE LEGISLATUREIMPORTANCE -OF STATEMATERNAL OFMENTAL NEWMEXICOHEALTH -AND FIRSTOBSERVING SESSIONMAY 2025AS INTRODUCED"NATIONAL BYMATERNAL TaraMENTAL L.HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH" IN NEW MEXICO.

Lujan6 WHEREAS, over twenty-two thousand babies are born in New Mexico each year, and Cynthiathe Borregomaternal health, including mental health, of women before, during and E.after pregnancy is an issue of great concern to women, their families and the state;

Dianeand Torres-VelásquezWHEREAS, between ten and Michelletwenty Paulenepercent Abeytaof new and Lindaexpectant Serratomothers 7are 9affected Aby MEMORIALprenatal RECOGNIZINGand THEperinatal IMPORTANCEdepression OFand MATERNALrelated MENTALmood HEALTHdisorders, ANDsuch OBSERVINGas MAYanxiety ASand "NATIONALpsychosis, MATERNALand MENTALmay HEALTHexperience AWARENESSassociated MONTH"symptoms INthat NEWare MEXICO.often overlooked and heavily stigmatized, causing new and expectant mothers suffering from prenatal and perinatal depression and mood disorders to often feel confused, ashamed and isolated;

15 WHEREAS, over twenty-two thousand babies are born in New Mexico each year, and the maternal health, including mental e t 17 health, of women before, during and after pregnancy is an issue w l n d 18 of great concern to women, their families and the state;

and = = 19 a l WHEREAS, between ten and twenty percent of new and i a e r 20 expectant mothers are affected by prenatal and perinatal a t m m 21 depression and related mood disorders, such as anxiety and d r e 22 psychosis, and may experience associated symptoms that are c e s k 23 often overlooked and heavily stigmatized, causing new and e a n b 24 expectant mothers suffering from prenatal and perinatal u [ depression and mood disorders to often feel confused, ashamed .230197.2 and isolated;

and HM 56 Page 1 WHEREAS, heightened awareness and increased education with regard to the incidence of prenatal and perinatal depression and related mood disorders are critical;

and WHEREAS, prenatal and perinatal depression and related mood disorders can have a profound impact on families and e t 17 significantly contribute to adverse developmental and w l n d 18 behavioral outcomes and attachment disorders in the children of = = 19 a l affected women;

and i a e r 20 WHEREAS, prenatal and perinatal depression and related a t m m 21 mood disorders are highly treatable with therapeutic d r e 22 interventions, such as medication, professional therapy and c e s k 23 counseling, support groups and community support services, e a n b 24 including crisis hotlines;

u [ NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF .230197.2 - 2 - REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to encourage collaboration with local, state and national coalitions, organizations and agencies that are informed on and devoted to the field of maternal health care to facilitate increased awareness and education about prenatal and perinatal depression and related mood disorders;

and improve the availability of and access HM 56 Page 2 to effective treatment, prevention and support services to promote maternal and infant mental health care throughout New Mexico;

-HM 356 -Page e3 t9 1725 w l n d 18 = = 19 a l i a e r 20 a t m m 21 d r e 22 c e s k 23 e a n b 24 u [ .230197.2