Black Maternal Mental Health Week
“Building for Liberation: Centering Black Mamas, Black Families and Black Systems of Care”
-Black Mammas Matter Aliance
One in five women will experience a maternal mental health disorder. Postpartum depression is the most common obstetric complication of birth. However, Black women experience higher rates of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) when compared to the US population. Additionally, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women.
Structural racism is one of the many factors creating inadequate and inequitable care and diagnosing of maternal mental health conditions among Black women and birthing persons. Often lack of access to appropriate treatment and care leads to fewer interventions and fewer positive health outcomes. Black women are historically less likely to receive treatment for their mental health concerns due to fear of stigma, involvement in the child welfare system, financial barriers, and non-existent or limited community resources.
BIPOC Face Mental Health Issues More Regularly
"Black women experience a higher prevalence of maternal mental health conditions, particularly postpartum depression and anxiety, relative to the US population. In addition, maternal mental health issues among Black women are underreported, and symptoms often go unaddressed. Lack of universal mental health education and screening, particularly during pregnancy, creates missed opportunities to provide clinical resources and counsel patients on symptoms and management of their depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders. In addition, limited community resources and structured-referral provider networks lead to higher rates of inpatient hospital-based care, as opposed to care in community-based settings for Black birthing populations (Health Affairs, 2021).”
The long-term psychological effects of racism, including systemic racism, places Black women at higher risk for preeclampsia, embolisms, other health conditions, and mental health diagnoses during pregnancy and postpartum.
Black Maternal Health Week Has Been Officially Recognized
The White House officially recognized Black Maternal Health Week on April 13, 2021, and organizations over the globe continue to make advocacy, education, and policy change their priorities for this population. You can read more about perinatal and maternal mental health issues or contact us. You can also request to schedule an appointment
For more information check out the following change-maker organizations:
March of Dimes: Birthing While Black
Pathways To Equitable And Antiracist Maternal Mental Health Care
To learn more about how we can help you with perinatal mental health, reach out to us today to begin.
