Sec. 705. PROGRAM TO PREVENT PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS IN PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

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## SEC. 705 PROGRAM TO PREVENT PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS IN PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES ###

(a)Requirement The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, shall carry out a program to improve clinical and nonclinical services targeting mental health conditions in pregnant and postpartum members of the Armed Forces and spouses of members during the perinatal period. ###

(b)Elements The Secretary shall ensure that the program under subsection

(a)includes the following: ####

(1)Access to support resources during the perinatal period, including— #####

(A)identification of symptoms of perinatal mental health conditions, brief intervention by primary care providers, referral to care, and treatment; #####

(B)targeted nonmedical counseling services through the Department of Defense Military and Family Life Counseling Program of the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy under section 1781 of title 10, United States Code; #####

(C)existing parenting resiliency programs of the military departments; #####

(D)adherence to clinical practice guidelines in military medical treatment facilities in support of members of the uniformed services and dependents with a diagnosed mental health condition requiring clinical intervention, including through primary care services and women’s health clinics, in collaboration with behavioral health services; and #####

(E)prenatal and postnatal support programs at military medical treatment facilities that provide group counseling modeled after best clinical practices, such as the Centering Pregnancy program. ####

(2)A process for informing pregnant and postpartum members of the Armed Forces and spouses of members of nonmedical and clinical support services during the perinatal period. ####

(3)A communications strategy to increase awareness of the services available under the program. ###

(c)Report Not later than December 31, 2025, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the program under subsection

(a)that includes the following: ####

(1)A description of the range of activities included in the program and data assessing the effectiveness or shortcomings of such activities. ####

(2)How resources are allocated for the purpose of establishing and maintaining perinatal support programs at military medical treatment facilities. ####

(3)Measurements for adherence to evidence-based protocols at military medical treatment facilities with respect to identifying potential mental health issues. ####

(4)Assessment of current training and credentials required for health care providers providing perinatal services and consideration for further certifications, such as the Perinatal Mental Health Certification. ####

(5)Feasibility and advisability of adding specialized perinatal mental health support services via a helpline through Military One Source. ####

(6)Recommendations for administrative or legislative changes to improve the effectiveness of the program. ###

(d)Perinatal Period Defined In this section, the term “perinatal period” means the period beginning with pregnancy through one year following childbirth.