On the recordMay 9, 2019
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor America's mothers and to raise awareness about maternal mental health. Each year in the United States, an estimated 1.3 million women suffer from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, such as maternal depression. To all the mothers or potential mothers out there, know that maternal depression is nothing to be ashamed of. It is the number one complication of pregnancy in the United States, and it can affect women regardless of the outcome of the pregnancy. Do not be afraid to reach out to healthcare professionals to get treatment. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the mothers, the survivors of maternal depression, and the great organizations across the country that are supporting women's mental health. By raising awareness, we can help protect the mental health of women and mothers in our communities. ____________________
