House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution recognizing May 2017 as “Postpartum Depression Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.

Many new moms experience the "postpartum baby blues" after childbirth, which commonly include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Some new moms – about 1 in 8 women – experience a more severe, long-lasting form of depression known as postpartum depression. Symptoms of postpartum depression vary and can range from mild to severe, but typically include depressed mood or severe mood swings, excessive crying, irritability and anger, difficulty bonding with the baby, withdrawing from family and friends, appetite problems, feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Many women do not seek professional treatment because of the stigma associated with postpartum depression or may be embarrassed to admit they are suffering from symptoms. Only 15% of women with postpartum depression ever receive professional treatment, meaning about 850,000 women each year are not getting the help they need.

Please consider co-sponsoring this important resolution to join me in raising awareness of this condition and encouraging those experiencing postpartum depression that it is not a character flaw or weakness, and prompt treatment can help manage one’s symptoms and allow a mother to enjoy her baby.