Up to 20% of pregnant and postpartum mothers will suffer from a maternal mental health disorder like postpartum depression or anxiety. Screening to detect these disorders isn’t conducted routinely, and treatment, when offered, is often fragmented, expensive, and delayed.
Untreated maternal mental health disorders impair mother-infant interactions, which can lead to negative behavioral, cognitive, and emotional impact on the child.
A recent study concluded that untreated disorders cost the U.S. over $14 billion dollars each year. This includes the cost of productivity loss, preterm births, long-term health care costs, and child behavioral/developmental costs.
In an effort to close this gap, on Tuesday, House of Representatives members Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44th District), Larry Bucshon (R-IN-8th District), Young Kim (R-CA-39thDistrict), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-District At-Large) introduced the Taskforce Recommending Improvements for Unaddressed Mental Perinatal and Postpartum Health (TRIUMPH) for New Mothers Act. The TRIUMPH Act calls for the formation of a maternal mental health task force of federal agencies to (1) Review and identify existing programs and best practices; (2) Close gaps, eliminate federal duplication, and coordinate federal resources; and (3) Create a national strategy and issue recommendations to Governors.
Source: 2020 Mom, 2021
Why am I advocating for this legislation?
As a NICU and micropreemie mother, I know firsthand the importance of prioritizing the well-being of new mothers. New moms in general, require strong support systems, but those who eventually develop postpartum depression or anxiety are especially deserving of this intervention. Over the years, I have committed time to advocating for a better social landscape for moms than the one I experienced in 2017. Supporting and promoting The TRIUMPH Act is one of those routes.
