FEBRUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER
DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WE ARE SHINING THE LIGHT ON BLACK MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH
DID YOU KNOW?
The United States maternal mortality rate for Black mothers is 
3-4 times the rate for White mothers.

Black mothers are MORE likely to experience maternal mental health conditions, but LESS likely to get help.

The coronavirus disproportionately impacts Black women,
who are the most likely individuals to work front-line jobs,
be laid off, and live in areas of outbreak.
WHY ARE BLACK WOMEN DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED?
Check out Kanika's guest blog post HERE.

"For Black people in the United States, our mental health has never been a consideration or a thought. The idea of help and treatment for many is unattainable or a luxury. The social, political, and economic marginalization of Blacks in America plays a heavy burden on our mental health; however, we are often not seen or included in screenings or research. Black people — mother, fathers, children — are criminalized for bearing the heavy burden of racism."

When our mental health is questioned, babies are taken away, fathers are jailed, families are broken.

"There are many contributing factors, most of which are grounded in systemic racism -- from lack of diversity in healthcare to higher levels of stress and trauma to perceived racial discrimination -- which lead to overall distrust in the healthcare system. All of these reasons play a role in the experience of Black women regarding mental health care."

Black women continue to fall through the cracks.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MMH AND BLACK WOMEN
Fact Sheet on Black Women & Birthing People includes information about how and why Black women are disproportionately impacted by MMH conditions.
is building capacity to
better support families
and providers of color.
Shades of Blue Project helps women before,
during and after childbirth with community resources, mental health advocacy, treatment, and support.
Postpartum Support International provides a directory of BIPOC
hosts an annual summit and conference focused specifically on MMH
among women of color.
NEW SCHOLARSHIP TO ADDRESS HEALTH EQUITY
The Association for Community Affiliated Plans proudly announces the Sylvia B. Kelly Medical Scholarship for Health Equity, which will provide one $25,000 award to support a medical student who has a demonstrated interest in promoting health equity through reducing the Black maternal mortality gap. The awardee must be completing the 4th year of medical school in the 2022-2023 academic year, graduating in Spring 2023.
FEATURED EVENTS: MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Black Maternal Mental Health Summit
February 26
Black Maternal Health Week
April 11-17
Devotion Starts Within Summit
May 5-6
Black Maternal Mental Health Week July 19-25
FEATURED STORY: TEDEX TALK BY JESSICA ROACH
Jessica Roach, MCH, of ROOTT (Restoring Our Own Through Transformation) shares her birth stories and discusses Black maternal health issues in this moving TedEx Talk, including her experience with postpartum depression. ROOTT is a Black community-based organization dedicated to addressing Black maternal, infant, and family health.
FEATURED ARTICLE: BLACK MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH
The October 2021 edition of Health Affairs Journal featured a cluster of articles addressing maternal mental health, including Pathways to Equitable and Antiracist Maternal Mental Health Care: Insights From Black Women Stakeholders. Kay Mathews -- lead author and founder of Shades of Blue Project -- was joined by co-authors from the birth equity community.
Reimagining the maternal mental health care landscape
 is essential to addressing
the Black maternal health crisis.
— Kay Matthews, Shades of Blue Project
BLACK MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH MOMNIBUS
The Black Maternal Health Momnibus includes 12 pieces of legislation that comprehensively address all aspects of the Black maternal health crisis, including the social determinants of health and maternal mental health.
The Century Foundation has created an interactive website,
which provides details on each bill, including sponsors, status, and additional resources.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK MENTAL HEALTH
The White House recently hosted a webinar on Mental Health and Wellness in the Black Community. The webinar featured actress Taraji P. Henson, professional tennis champion Sloane Stephens, and WNBA star Nneka Ogwumie.
Black Americans are 20% more likely
to experience mental health conditions than the general population.
ADAA has a terrific webpage with info about how mental health conditions impact Black people.
AHA is encouraging Black women to Reclaim Your Rhythm and take control of mental & physical health.
HHS RACIAL EQUITY IN POSTPARTUM CARECHALLENGE
HHS is seeking innovative ways to improve postpartum care for Black or African American and American Indian or Alaska Native low-income beneficiaries enrolled in Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The HHS Racial Equity in Postpartum Care Challenge: Innovative Methods to Improve Postpartum Care for Black or African American and American Indian / Alaska Native Women emphasizes follow-up care for conditions associated with morbidity and mortality in the later postpartum period, including diabetes, postpartum depression and/or postpartum anxiety, hypertension, and substance use disorders (SUD).

  • Total cash prizes of $1.8 million
  • Phase 1 Submission Deadline EXTENDED to Feb 28, 2022
  • Learn more HERE, including how to access instructional webinars
RACISM AND HEALTH
The National Council on Mental Wellbeing has created a resource-rich website — Addressing Health Equity and Racial Justice — to support organizations and individuals in addressing racial inequities and the associated stigmas that lead to behavioral health disparities.
The February edition of Health Affairs Journal is entitled Racism and Health and includes overview, research, analysis, and commentary articles. In addition, Health Affairs recently hosted a video "Racism and Health in US Medicine: A Conversation With Harriet Washington."
MORE BLACK PEOPLE MAKING AN IMPACT IN MMH
This is just a sample, not an all-inclusive listing. Click on each name to learn more.
EVENTS & CONFERENCES (MARCH & APRIL)
ANNUAL CONFERENCE | Anxiety & Depression Association of America
Common Psychopathology: What Can The Past Tell Us About The Future?
March 17-22 | Denver, CO | LEARN MORE
ANNUAL FORUM | 2020 Mom
Building the Maternal Mental Health Constellation
March 23-25 | Virtual | LEARN MORE
BIENNIAL MEETING | North American Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynecology
No Woman Forgotten: Science and Equitable Health Care for Women across the Life Span
April 22-24 | Ann Arbor, MI | LEARN MORE
CALLS FOR PROPOSALS
YALE UNIVERSITY
The Women's Mental Health Conference
May 5-6 | Virtual | LEARN MORE
BLACK MAMAS MATTER ALLIANCE
Black Maternal Health Conference & Training Institute
September 17-18 | Hybrid | Washington DC | LEARN MORE
INTERNATIONAL MARCE SOCIETY BIENNIAL MEETING
Perinatal Mental Health: Connecting The World
September 19-23 | London UK | LEARN MORE
AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION
Annual Meeting and Expo
Nov 6-9 | Boston | LEARN MORE
RESEARCH STUDIES
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles is conducting a series of studies looking at babies attention and development during the first two years of life. LEARN MORE
Researchers are seeking participants for brief online focus groups to study Women of Color's Healthcare Interactions during the Perinatal Period (HIPP).
If we merge mercy with might,
and might with right,
then love becomes our legacy
and change our children's birthright.
— Amanda Gorman, first National Youth Poet Laureate
Working with Policy Makers to Address Maternal Mental Health Conditions
Our vision is universal and equitable education, prevention, screening, and treatment for maternal mental health conditions during pregnancy and year following pregnancy.