Black Maternal Health Week 2024
It is the official start of Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW). From April 11th-April 17th, 2024, we have a unique and necessary opportunity to reflect on the state of Black women’s mental health.
Research continues to show that Black women are most affected by perinatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) but are least likely to receive help
due to systemic and institutionalized barriers (e.g., lack of access to proper healthcare and related services, financial barriers, and mental health stigma). Yet, studies also show that interventions developed for Black women benefit all women and communities at large when implemented nationally. So, in this case, what’s good for the goose really is good for the gander.
Black Maternal Health Statistics
According to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, roughly 40% of Black mothers and birthing individuals will experience PMADs such as perinatal/postpartum depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Risk factors for these PMADs include low social support, perceived (experienced) stress, poverty, previous history of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, and a history of sexual violence. Unfortunately for Black women, racist and anti-Black experiences in their day-to-day lives and health care increase the likelihood of developing PMADs; Black mothers are twice as likely to experience these conditions but only half as likely to receive treatment. However, these statistics are only accounting for the women who live (Black maternal morbidity). Concerning Black maternal mortality, Black mothers are also three to five times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications compared to white counterparts, yet 60% of all maternal deaths are preventable. While states like Mississippi (42%) and Louisiana (36%) have the highest Black maternal mortality rates, states like New York (21.7%) and New Jersey (25.7%) aren’t that far behind, according to data obtained between 2018-2021.
I know, these statistics are heavy and hard to sit with, so please take care of yourself (e.g., take a break from reading this blog post, go for a walk, or schedule time with me to explore how you’re feeling. What I want you to take away from this post is the reality that Black women might be down, but we’re not out. I’ve spoken about the power (and process) of therapy and the role of community in our wellness journey. Now, I would like to introduce you to free and low-cost community (and national) resources that are doing great work to shed light on Black maternal health and wellness.
Black Maternal Health Initiatives
1) The Shades of Blue Project – bridges the gap between Black maternal mental health issues and available services for Black women and women of color.
2) Black Mamas Matter Alliance – a platform that centers Black mothers while advocating for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.
3) Perinatal Health Equity Initiative – a New Jersey-based organization dedicated to delivering holistic care to Black women via breastfeeding and lactation support, pregnancy and postpartum services, and education.
Lactation Support and Doula Resources
4) Chocolate Milk Café - a peer-led lactation support group for families within the African diaspora.
5) Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA) – a national organization driven to reduce the impact of racial disparities in breastfeeding success for Black families.
6) Love Delivered - transforming the landscape of reproductive health in the U.S. by increasing access to doulas for Black individuals and families.
Birthing Justice Resources
7) Birth Rights Bar Association – a resource guide for everyday people to defend human rights during labor and birth.
8) National Association to Advance Black Birth (NAABB) - promotes midwives, doulas, other birth workers, and training programs to improve the care of Black women, persons and infants.
9) Birthing Justice - a film that highlights Black women’s positive birthing stories.
10) Black Women Birthing Justice - a grass-roots collective dedicated to rebuilding confidence in the Black and Brown community’s ability to birth.
Total Care Apps
11) Irth – allows users to see how other parents of color experience care from doctors and hospitals.
12) Villie – an app that’s revolutionizing how expecting and new parents connect, raise funds, and receive gifts.
13) Navigate Maternity - provides data-driven solutions to address the maternal mortality crisis via wearables (i.e., Bluetooth blood pressure cuffs).
14) Wolomi - provides resources and guidance that support Black birthing people to own their perinatal journey alongside others who look like them and share their experience.
Black Maternal Health Podcasts
15) Sisters in Loss Podcast - spotlights faith-filled black women who share their grief and loss stories and testimonies.
16) Birth Stories in Color – a podcast where POC share their birthing experiences (i.e., celebrating, mourning, and supporting) and transformation through birth.
17) Natal - a two-season podcast docuseries about having a baby while Black in the United States.
18) TherapyForBlackGirls Podcast - a podcast about general experiences for Black women that also includes our reproductive experiences.
*The above resources are not an official endorsement from Dr. Ruby Rhoden or Lavender Therapy but may have positive impacts on your mental well-being.
Ready to make a change? Online therapy in New York, NY
If you live in New York State and would like to learn more about Black maternal mental health or your well-being as a parent, contact me today. I’d love to help. Your mental health is not limited to just this week and you deserve support.
Reach out today and take the first step towards reclaiming your emotional well-being.
Learn more about maternal mental health from my blogs.
Enjoy motherhood (again).
Other Services I Offer Online Anywhere in New York
Life brings many unique challenges, and I’m here to support you every step of the way. In addition to therapy for mons, I offer specialized services to help you navigate through different phases and experiences. Anywhere in New York, I offer therapy for burnout, general support, infertility and pregnancy loss, and family planning therapy.
About The Author:
Dr. Ruby Rhoden is a New York-based Licensed Psychologist who is dedicated to uplifting women through life changes and challenges, including reproduction. With a deep understanding of the complexities of burnout, Dr. Ruby provides a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their emotions and develop strategies to overcome exhaustion and regain their zest for life. She understands how unhelpful behavior patterns and mental health disorders uniquely impact women and uses evidence-based techniques to usher in sustainable change and relief. Dr. Ruby is dedicated to helping women develop healthier habits and relationships with themselves and their bodies so that they can connect to others and the world around them again. Dr. Ruby studied at Cornell University and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey for her Bachelor's and Doctoral degrees, respectively. In her free time, she enjoys watching reality TV, supporting small businesses, and writing blog posts to remind all women that they are not alone.
