Endorsement Letter for Organizations to Senator
TO BE PUT ON LETTERHEAD
DATE
The Honorable SENATORS NAME
### XXX Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear SENATOR’s NAME:
I am writing to urge you to support the allocation of $5 million for Screening and Treatment for Maternal Depression and other Maternal Mental Health Disorders, as authorized by Section 10005 of the 21st Century Cures Act.
Maternal mental health disorders, commonly known as postpartum depression (PPD), are very common, impacting up to 1 in 5 women (or approximately 20%) during pregnancy or one year post delivery. Maternal depression is the most common complication of pregnancy. Other maternal mental health disorders include multiple forms of anxiety and even a severe condition known as postpartum psychosis. Postpartum psychosis carries an increased risk of suicide, which is the second leading cause of death in new mothers.
INSERT STATE COALITION RELATED INFO INTO THESE TWO PARAGRAPHS. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE: The National Coalition for Maternal Mental Health [NCMMH] supports the allocation of $5 million for Screening and Treatment for Maternal Mental Depression in the FY 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on Appropriations bill, as authorized by Section 10005 of the 21st Century Cures Act.
NCMMH is comprised of national organizations devoted to addressing maternal mental health. NCMMH’s goal is to engage stakeholders, advocate for change in policies and practices, and raise awareness surrounding maternal mental health. NCMMH works on a daily basis with new mothers, families, health care providers and local communities.
If secured, the funds authorized by Section 10005 of the 21st Century Cures Act will increase access to screening and treatment by providing additional resources to states to build on successful local efforts to develop and implement maternal mental health programs. Better screening and treatment will not only prevent adverse outcomes for women, children and their families, it will create significant cost savings through early detection and prevention.
We ask you, SENATORS NAME, to support the allocation of $5 million for Screening and Treatment for Maternal Mental Depression in the FY 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on Appropriations bill, as authorized by Section 10005 of the 21st Century Cures Act to take action on ridding stigma, and getting the proper resources to women and providers at a state and local level around maternal mental health.
Sincerely,
NAME/S
TITLE
ORGANIZATION