Health & Saf. Code, § 123615.5

The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Maternal depression is a common complication of pregnancy. Maternal mental health disorders encompass a range of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and postpartum psychosis.

(b) Maternal mental health conditions affect one in five women during or after pregnancy, but all women are at risk of suffering from maternal mental health conditions.

(c) Untreated maternal mental health conditions significantly and negatively impact the short- and long-term health and well-being of affected women and their children.

(d) Untreated maternal mental health conditions cause adverse birth outcomes, impaired maternal-infant bonding, poor infant growth, childhood emotional and behavioral problems, and significant medical and economic costs, estimated to be $22,500 per mother.

(e) Lack of understanding and social stigma of mental health conditions prevent women and families from understanding the signs, symptoms, and risks involved with maternal mental health conditions and disproportionately affect women who lack access to social support networks.

(f) It is the intent of the Legislature to raise awareness of the risk factors, signs, symptoms, and treatment options for maternal mental health conditions among pregnant women and their families, the general public, primary health care providers, and health care providers who care for pregnant women, postpartum women, and newborn infants.