Gov. Kehoe Proclaims May as Parental Mental Health Awareness Month

Parental Mental Health Awareness Proclamation 2

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe on May 7 signed a proclamation declaring May as Parental Mental Health Awareness Month across the state of Missouri. This is the first statewide awareness month for parental mental health in the country. 

The proclamation recognizes the high prevalence of perinatal mental health conditions, such as postpartum depression and anxiety, in Missouri communities and encourages the destigmatization of mental health concerns for parents of all kinds, regardless of race, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, age or ability.

Postpartum depression is the most common, yet most underdiagnosed obstetrical complication in the country — affecting nearly 20% of new and expectant mothers/birthing persons and at least 10% of fathers and partners. In Missouri, mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, are the leading underlying cause of pregnancy-related deaths. Data show that all pregnancy-related deaths due to mental health conditions are preventable. 

This proclamation is a significant step forward in acknowledging the rates of postpartum depression and other perinatal mental health conditions in Missouri and the importance of support needed before, during and after pregnancy. 

The Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, Whole Parent Foundation, and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services were represented at the proclamation signing with Gov. Kehoe.