BILL NUMBER: S557
SPONSOR: KRUEGER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to designating the month
of May as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the executive law to designate the month of May as
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The month of May is known as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month to
recognize the importance of maternal mental health, and to raise aware-
ness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, as well as treatment and
support that are available. Between 15-20% of individuals from all soci-
o-economic backgrounds experience pregnancy-related depression or anxie-
ty, and the number of individuals seeking treatment for perinatal
depression has increased during the pandemic due to the increase in
stressors. Symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders may present
during or after pregnancy, and range in severity. It is critical to
address maternal mental health, as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
contribute to high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, and impact
the development of healthy attachment for infants. The good news is that
perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are highly treatable, however,
individuals may be unaware they are experiencing maternal mental health
challenges and forgo seeking treatment. This bill would create a month
of commemoration in New York as a time to promote maternal mental health
by raising awareness of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, as well as
treatment that is available to people during an d after pregnancy.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.156/S.6603 (Reyes) - Passed Senate
2022: S.8871/A.10622 (Reyes)- Passed Senate
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.