Congresswoman Matsui Statement on Updated Depression Screening Recommendations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 26, 2016

CONTACT: LAUREN DART

(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Statement on Updated Depression Screening Recommendations

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), issued the following statement on the United States Preventive Services Task Force's updated recommendation advising all adults, including pregnant and postpartum women, to get screened for depression:

"Today's announcement from The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advising all adults be screened for depression is a step toward bringing parity between mental and physical health," said Congresswoman Matsui. "By integrating preventive screening into routine doctor visits, we acknowledge that the head is a part of the body, and make progress in reducing stigma around a condition that affects nearly 7 percent of adults in the United States.

"I'm also pleased that experts have added pregnant and postpartum women in their screening recommendations, so that we can do more to support moms who are coping with postpartum depression and other maternal mental illnesses.

"With this initial step, we must continue to work toward bolstering our mental health systems and further integrating them with physical health systems of care. I will continue my efforts in Congress to enact comprehensive mental health care reform, so that patients and providers have the resources they need to carry out these critical recommendations."

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