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HOUSE MEMORIAL 56
57
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2025
INTRODUCED BY
Tara L. Lujan and Cynthia Borrego and E. Diane Torres-Velásquez
and Michelle Paulene Abeyta and Linda Serrato
A MEMORIAL
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH AND
OBSERVING MAY AS "NATIONAL MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
MONTH" IN NEW MEXICO.
WHEREAS, over twenty-two thousand babies are born in New
Mexico each year, and the maternal health, including mental
health, of women before, during and after pregnancy is an issue
of great concern to women, their families and the state; and
WHEREAS, between ten and twenty percent of new and
expectant mothers are affected by prenatal and perinatal
depression and related mood disorders, such as anxiety and
psychosis, and may experience associated symptoms that are
often overlooked and heavily stigmatized, causing new and
expectant mothers suffering from prenatal and perinatal
depression and mood disorders to often feel confused, ashamed
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and isolated; and
WHEREAS, many at-risk women may not seek help because they
are not informed about prenatal and perinatal depression and
related mood disorders as being part of prenatal and perinatal
health care due to a lack of knowledge, awareness and use of
screening and assessment tools by health care providers and a
lack of awareness of available medical treatments and community
support services; and
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 mood
disorders affect all categories of women and teenage girls
regardless of age, race or income level; and
WHEREAS, prenatal and perinatal depression and related
mood disorders can have a profound impact on families and
significantly contribute to adverse developmental and
behavioral outcomes and attachment disorders in the children of
affected women; and
WHEREAS, prenatal and perinatal depression and related
mood disorders are highly treatable with therapeutic
interventions, such as medication, professional therapy and
counseling, support groups and community support services,
including crisis hotlines;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
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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;
explore and encourage the use of prenatal screening tools; and
improve the availability of and access to effective treatment,
prevention and support services to promote maternal and infant
mental health care throughout New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that national maternal mental
health awareness month be observed in May in New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be
transmitted to the secretary of health.
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