Chapter 12 Oregon Laws 2010 Special Session

 

AN ACT

 

HB 3625

 

Relating to Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month; and declaring an emergency.

          Whereas maternal mental health directly affects women, infants and children and must be seen as a primary concern for the health and safety of families; and

          Whereas perinatal mood disorders, which include depression, anxiety, mania and psychosis, are pervasive but treatable illnesses and occur in approximately one out of eight of all pregnant and postpartum women; and

          Whereas research has shown that untreated maternal depression and anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum negatively affects birth outcomes and infant development, including infant mental health and brain development; and

          Whereas maternal risk factors for the development of perinatal mood disorders can be reliably identified, assessed and treated by health care providers and public health systems; and

          Whereas families should be informed of the importance of mental health during pregnancy and postpartum and can be given information that will empower them to take preventive measures; and

          Whereas reliable, evidence-based methods for culturally competent risk evaluation, screening and treatment have been developed and could be adopted in Oregon; and

          Whereas provider education and public awareness regarding maternal mental health is a public health priority; and

          Whereas accessible local, state and federal resources for screening, assessment, referral and treatment need to be available to all childbearing families and their health care providers throughout the State of Oregon; now, therefore,

 

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

 

          SECTION 1. (1) May of each year is designated as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month.

          (2) The purpose of the designation is to:

          (a) Encourage the Early Childhood Council to address perinatal mental health as a public health priority; and

          (b) Encourage health care providers, parents, expecting parents and other stakeholders to collaborate in the development of a statewide care network for perinatal mental health and to increase awareness and understanding of the mental health needs of pregnant and postpartum women and their families.

 

          SECTION 2. This 2010 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2010 Act takes effect on its passage.

 

Approved by the Governor March 4, 2010

 

Filed in the office of Secretary of State March 4, 2010

 

Effective date March 4, 2010

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