Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) was named the 2014 Legislator of the Year by the California Maternal Mental Health Collaborative for her work on behalf of women and families, including her bill, AB 1787, that requires large commercial airports in California to provide private space for traveling mothers to express breast milk.
“I’m proud to stand with advocates from across the state to increase awareness of maternal mental health and the services and supports that our new mothers need,” said Lowenthal, who chairs the Legislative Women’s Caucus. “As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let’s not forget to reach out to our friends, family, neighbors, and loved ones who may be suffering in silence to let them know that help is available.”
The California Maternal Mental Health Collaborative serves as a convening organization, holding forums on maternal mental health, for various stakeholders in California and throughout the U.S. In 2013 the organization launched with its partner, Postpartum Support International, web-based training in maternal mental health to address the shortage of trained providers, and its national campaign, called the 2020 Mom Project, which sets forth tactical steps that hospitals, insurers and providers can take to improve awareness and outcomes.
Since 2010, California has recognized the month of May as Perinatal Depression Awareness Month in California.
Source: Bonnie Lowenthal’s office
