Understanding the Impact of Maternal Mental Health on Black Women
The Significance of Black Maternal Mental Health Week
Black Maternal Mental Health Week is an essential time to celebrate the strength of Black birthing people and amplify the unique challenges they face during and after pregnancy.
Maternal mental health issues can affect any birthing person, but the CDC reports a stark disparity with 40% of Black women experiencing maternal mental health symptoms. This is almost double the rate of all other birthing persons.
Black Maternal Mental Health Week, is observed annually July 19-25, during National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to bring awareness to the mental health struggles that disproportionately affect Black Birthing people during the perinatal or postpartum period. The CDC reports that in 2020, fewer than one in every two African American adults got care for mental health.
In addition, 29–44% of Black women experience postpartum depressive symptoms. This week provides a platform to highlight these issues, advocate for change, and support Black birthing people in getting the care they need.
The Disparity in Maternal Mental Health Symptoms
Black women are almost twice as likely to experience maternal mental health symptoms compared to other women. Factors contributing to this disparity include systemic racism, socioeconomic challenges, lack of access to quality healthcare, stigmas surrounding mental health, and the stress of navigating a healthcare system that often marginalizes their experiences.
Reproductive Justice and Mental Health
Sexual and Reproductive justice is a framework that not only focuses on the right to have or not have children but also on the right to parent in safe and healthy environments. Mental health is a key aspect of Sexual and Reproductive Justice. For Black women, achieving mental health parity means addressing the systemic inequalities that impact their well-being and advocating for increased access to screening, support, and treatment for mental health. Advocacy for sexual and reproductive justice includes ensuring that Black women have access to culturally competent mental health care and support systems.
Conclusion
President Biden and Vice President Kamala are the first administration to recognize Black maternal health crisis as a public health threat. Black Maternal Mental Health Week is a critical reminder of the disparities faced by Black Birthing people. By supporting and participating in advocacy movements, we can help ensure that Black mothers receive the care and support they deserve.
Join our advocacy movement here.
References:
1. https://www.2020mom.org/blog/issue-brief-black-maternal-mental-health
2. https://www.marchofdimes.org/black-maternal-mental-health-week#:~:text=A%20maternal%20mental%20health%20crisis&text=Perinatal%20mood%20disorders%20are%20one,receive%20any%20support%20or%20treatment.
3. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7235e1.htm
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9862142/#:~:text=In%20the%20United%20States%20(US,)%20%5B1%2C2%5D.
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