Black Maternal Mental Health

Let's Talk About Black Maternal Mental Health...Did you know Black Women are 2.9x more likely to die in childbirth than non-Hispanic White women?!?! Black women are 1.6 times more likely to experience PostPartum Depression which is often not diagnosed, overlooked, and exacerbated by experiencing microaggressions and feeling invalidated by their healthcare providers. What Can You Do?

Healthcare Providers- (1) Screen for anxiety and depression during pregnancy. (2) LISTEN. Be curious about the concerns/questions black women have while pregnant. (3) Practice EMPATHY. Put yourself in their shoes and imagine the stress and anxiety of knowing that your odds of serious complications, including death, are the highest in any developed nation. (4) Partner with Black Maternal Organizations such as Black Mamas Matter Alliance and the National Black Doulas Association to advocate for incorporating doulas to support black women during their birthing experiences.

Black Women & Those That Love Black Women- (1) Continue to speak up, voice any concerns to your provider, and ask your partner or a friend to support you in advocating for your needs. (2) Reach out to a therapist specializing in maternal mental health counseling to support you during and after pregnancy. (3) Join a support group of women with shared experiences, like Mocha Moms, to reduce feelings of isolation and increase access to valuable information and resources.

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