WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

AJR 239

Designates May of each year as "Maternal Mental Health Month."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Carol Murphy

Designates May as Maternal Mental Health Month in New Jersey to raise awareness and encourage linking families to available support resources.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee
#commemoratio #mentalhealt
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AJR 239

AJR 239 Summary — Maternal Mental Health Month Designation

Overview

AJR 239 is a joint resolution introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on November 24, 2025. The measure designates May of each year as “Maternal Mental Health Month” in New Jersey and requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the designation. The resolution takes effect immediately and is primarily ceremonial, aiming to raise awareness about maternal mental health and connect affected individuals with available resources.

What the bill would do

  • Designation: Each May would be designated in New Jersey as “Maternal Mental Health Month.”
  • Governor’s proclamation: The Governor would be respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing May as Maternal Mental Health Month.
  • Effective date: The joint resolution states that it takes effect immediately.

Rationale and context (as provided in the introduction)

  • Definitions: Maternal mental health (also called perinatal mental health) covers mental health during pregnancy and up to two years after birth.
  • Prevalence: Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders affect approximately 1 in 7 women during pregnancy or the postpartum period (cited by RWJBarnabas Health) and may be as high as 1 in 5 (cited by the Association of American Medical Colleges).
  • Global and local relevance: The World Health Organization highlights the importance of supporting maternal mental health through better information, research, and services.
  • Risk factors: Poverty, ongoing stress, exposure to violence, and a history of mental illness increase risk.
  • Impact: Untreated maternal mental disorders can affect both mother and child health and development, including risks of suicide, psychosis, malnutrition in children, and, rarely, infanticide.
  • Awareness and resources: The bill notes existing New Jersey resources, such as a maternal mood disorder health line, and the Maternal and Child Health Consortia; it also references recognition by Postpartum Support International.

Who is affected

  • Broad impact: While ceremonial, designating a month aims to raise public awareness about maternal mental health among all residents and to promote connections to available support services for pregnant and postpartum individuals and families.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced: November 24, 2025
  • Committee: Referred to the Assembly Committee on Community Development and Women’s Affairs
  • Next steps: As a joint resolution, passage would typically require approval by both houses and the Governor’s signature to become ceremonial law; however, it is primarily an awareness designation.
  • Immediate effect: The resolution provides for immediate effect upon enactment, with annual proclamations by the Governor.

Key takeaways

  • AJR 239 creates a recurring, symbolic observance in May to highlight maternal mental health.
  • It leverages a gubernatorial proclamation to enhance visibility and link families to resources.
  • No funding or new programs are created by this measure; its impact rests on awareness and outreach.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.