SCR 161 (2025) — Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month.

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONNo. 161

CHAPTER 73

Statutes of 2026

Introduced by Senator Weber Pierson

(Coauthors: Senators Alvarado-Gil, Ashby, Caballero, Dahle, Gonzalez, Grayson, Ochoa Bogh, Smallwood-Cuevas, Valladares, and Wahab)

April 15, 2026

Relative to Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month.

Fiscal committee: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

This measure would proclaim May 2026 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month.

WHEREAS, In the United States, maternal depression is the most common complication of pregnancy, yet also one of the most underdiagnosed obstetrical complications in the country. Maternal mental health disorders encompass a range of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and postpartum psychosis; and

WHEREAS, Maternal mental health affects about one in five women during or after pregnancy, but all women are at risk of suffering from maternal mental health disorders. Specifically, in California, one in three mothers suffers from pregnancy-related depression or anxiety; and

WHEREAS, Fewer than 15 percent of identified cases of maternal mental health disorders are treated as a result of the shortage of screening providers who are available or able to provide necessary treatment, and also as a result of personal, structural, and systemic barriers within the health care system; and

WHEREAS, Untreated maternal mental health disorders significantly and negatively impact the short- and long-term health and well-being of affected women and their children; 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

WHEREAS, Lack of understanding and the continual social stigma of 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; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature dedicates the month of May 2026 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.