MAY GBS‑CIDP Awareness Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

MAY GBS-CIDP Awareness Month

WHEREAS, maternal mental health is a critical component of the overall wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities, and encompasses a range of conditions-including depression, anxiety, and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders-that can occur during pregnancy and throughout the first year after childbirth; and

WHEREAS, maternal mental health conditions are among the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth, affecting an estimated one in five women, yet often go undiagnosed and untreated due to stigma, lack of awareness, limited access to care, and disparities in health outcomes; and

WHEREAS, untreated maternal mental health conditions can have significant and longlasting impacts on parents, infants, and families, including challenges with bonding, child development, family stability, and overall quality of life; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth recognizes that maternal mental health is influenced by a wide range of factors, including social determinants of health, access to culturally competent care, economic stability, community support, and the availability of mental health resources before, during, and after pregnancy; and

WHEREAS, maternal mental health disparities disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and other women of color, as well as individuals in rural and underserved communities, making it essential to advance equitable access to screening, treatment, and support services across all regions of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, healthcare providers-including obstetricians, midwives, nurses, primary care clinicians, behavioral health professionals, doulas, and community health workers-play a vital role in identifying maternal mental health needs, providing compassionate care, and connecting families with appropriate resources; and

WHEREAS, communitybased organizations, public health agencies, and advocacy groups across the Commonwealth work tirelessly to raise awareness, expand access to services, reduce stigma, and support families experiencing maternal mental health challenges; and

WHEREAS, Maternal Mental Health Month provides an opportunity to increase public understanding of maternal mental health conditions, promote early intervention, strengthen support networks, and encourage all Virginians to help create a community in which every parent feels seen, supported, and valued; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia reaffirms its commitment to improving maternal mental health outcomes by supporting policies, programs, and partnerships that expand access to care, advance equity, and promote the wellbeing of all parents and families;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, do hereby recognize May 2026, as MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.