Bridging the Gaps in Black Maternal Care
At BWHI, we recognize how cuts to our social safety net programs including Medicaid and food stamps is a significant stressor for Black families, particularly pregnant and postpartum people. This is why we support and uplift organizations like the Shades of Blue Project that stand in the gap for Black women navigating mental health conditions, offering group counseling and support groups, connecting families with social services, and providing prenatal and postpartum support care packages. Each year during July 19-25, the Shades of Blue Project observes and honors Black Maternal Mental Health Week, an annual week-long campaign dedicated to raising awareness about inequities in maternal mental health, elevating the needs, desires, and knowledge of Black communities, and advocating for equitable maternal mental health care. The Shades of Blue Project also hosts its Black Maternal Mental Health Summit, this year, July 23-25 in Houston, Texas.
We encourage you to tap in during Black Maternal Mental Health Week. How are you protecting your own peace and mental health? Are you aware of the mental health resources available within your communities?
Here are resources we recommend you explore during and beyond Black Maternal Mental Health Week:
- Shades of Blue Project – https://www.shadesofblueproject.org/
- Shades of Blue Project’s Black Maternal Mental Health Summit – https://whova.com/web/z0QyppWWh@Cb1yZde8OdRP-YxquPzgFmNypOn47B32E%3D/
- Therapy for Black Girls – https://therapyforblackgirls.com/
- Yoga with Nico (Yoga for Anxiety) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pny109Ezi5A
- Pathways To Equitable And Antiracist Maternal Mental Health Care: Insights From Black Women Stakeholders – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34606342/
- Birth in Color: https://birthincolor.org/