State & Community Leaders Come Together to Announce Governor Cox’s Declaration of February as Maternal Mental Health Month
Salt Lake City, UT-- State and community leaders, including Utah First Lady Abby Cox and state legislators, will gather on February 17th at 12:00 PM via Zoom to announce Governor Cox’s Declaration of February 2021 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month and to discuss significant statewide maternal mental health efforts including recent legislation and state data..State leaders will be joined by a coalition of partners, including survivor moms, families, and health care providers who will share their experiences and highlight the importance of investing in maternal mental health policies and support.According to the January 2021 Utah Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Perspectives report, 43% of Utah residents with a recent live birth in Utah were affected by depression or anxiety. The same report highlighted the importance of screening for mental health before, during, and after a pregnancy and found that only 44% of PRAMS participants had been screened before pregnancy.Statewide maternal mental health efforts have resulted in greater awareness for Utah families, including the development of a Utah-specific referral and resource network: https://maternalmentalhealth.utah.gov/The referral site and awareness campaign have helped thousands of mothers connect with care. Said one Utah mother, “This page makes me feel SEEN and VALIDATED. I hope this page reaches as many other struggling mothers and makes them feel heard.”The coalition of Utah partners includes the YWCA Utah, Voices for Utah Children, the Utah Department of Health including the maternal Mental Health Committee of the Utah Women and Newborns Quality Collaborative, American Academy of Pediatrics, Utah Chapter, Postpartum Support International- Utah Chapter, Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Emily Effect, the Early Childhood Alliance, the University of Utah and Intermountain Healthcare, among many others.To join the zoom event on February 17th at 12 PM, please register here.Members of the press are welcome to join.? ? ? ? ?YWCA Utah advances the well-being of women in Utah through safety, opportunity, and advocacy. Since 1906 YWCA Utah has advanced the well-being of women in key dimensions of their lives through direct programming, education, and advocacy designed to encourage their aspirations, protect their rights, and meet their changing needs. The YWCA’s enduring belief has been that better lives for all women lead to stronger families and communities. Current direct programming focuses on violence against women, early childhood education, and women’s leadership development. Research, education, and advocacy, and public policy efforts focus on developing the Utah Women’s Well-Being Initiative. For more information, visit ywcautah.org.