The Virginia General Assembly has issued the following proclamation
House Joint Resolution No. 606

Designating May, in 2015 and in each succeeding year.

Maternal Mental Health Month in Virginia

This is great news!  The Commonwealth of Virginia recognizes that:

• up to 80% of new mothers experience changes in emotional health following childbirth
• 15-20% of pregnant women and new mothers experience moderate to severe symptoms
• 1-2 in every 1,000 mothers will experience postpartum psychosis, a medical emergency
• these illnesses can develop any time during pregnancy and the first year after childbirth

Special thanks to the following people for making this proclamation a reality:

• Dr. Natasha Sriraman, member of PSVa’s Board of Directors, pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk
• Virginia Delegate Roxann Robinson (Virginia’s 27th District) for introducing the proclamation