HR395: HR395 Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month; month of May; designate

This resolution addresses perinatal depression and related mood disorders, conditions that affect an estimated 10 to 20 percent of new and expectant mothers in Georgia but are often overlooked, stigmatized, or left untreated. The resolution notes that more than 100,000 babies are born in Georgia each year and that untreated maternal mental health conditions can affect child development and family well-being. The resolution designates May of each year as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in Georgia. It encourages state, county, and municipal officials, businesses, and citizens to take part in programs and activities that raise awareness during that month. It also asks the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the observance, and directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the Governor and the press. As a resolution rather than a bill, it does not create new legal requirements or funding.

• Designates May of each year as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in the State of Georgia.
• Encourages state, county, and municipal governments, businesses, and citizens to hold awareness and education programs during May.
• Respectfully requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the observance.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the Governor and the press.

New and expectant mothers and teenage girls affected by perinatal depression and related mood disorders, along with state, county, and municipal government officials, businesses, and the general public who are encouraged to participate in awareness activities each May.

The resolution does not change any law or fund any program, but it formally calls attention to perinatal depression and related mood disorders, which the resolution says often go undiagnosed and untreated, potentially encouraging more public education and use of screening and support services.

• The preamble states that 10 to 20 percent of new and expectant mothers in Georgia are affected by perinatal depression and related mood disorders.
• Item (1) designates May as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in Georgia.
• Item (2) encourages government officials, businesses, and citizens to participate in awareness and education activities during May.
• Item (3) requests that the Governor issue an annual proclamation recognizing the month.
• A final resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to the Governor and the press.

1. 2025-02-28House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-27House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-26House Hopper (House)

• Park Cannon (D, HD-058)Primary sponsor
• Tanya Miller (D, HD-062)
• Jasmine Clark (D, HD-108)
• Debra Bazemore (D, HD-069)
• Miriam Paris (D, HD-142)

• maternal mental health
• postpartum depression
• public health awareness
• Georgia legislature resolutions