Resources for BMMH Week
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UPDATES FROM PERINATAL SUPPORT WA
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
- Black Maternal Mental Health Week: Information + Events
- The Importance of Maternal Mental Health Conversations: Sharing My Truth by Danesha B. Deloatch, MS, LMFT
Why Culturally Matched Care Matters: Interview with PS-WA Staff, Latonia Westerfield
- Wellness Tips for Black Mental Health
- Recommended Books, Articles, and Resources
- Legislative Update
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Black Maternal Mental Health Events Snohomish County Perinatal Mental Health Task Force ACE's Quarterly Training -Perinatal Mental Health July 21st, 2021 Shades of Blue Project: Encouraging Our Joy and Reinstating Our Peace of Mind July 19th – 25th, 2021 Kay Matthews |
Black Maternal Mental Health WeekDid you know that July is Minority Mental Health month? During the month of July, we also recognize Black Maternal Mental Health Week from July 19-25th. This special week is dedicated to acknowledging and bringing awareness to the mental health needs of Black mothers. Upwards of 40% of Black mothers will suffer from postpartum depression. Perinatal mental health complications occur at a higher rate among Black mothers during and after pregnancy, however, these mothers are less likely to seek mental health care. Some factors contributing to these barriers include, but are not limited to, a lack of knowledge that they have a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) or are at risk of developing perinatal mental health complications, a lack of access to appropriate mental health care services in their communities, valid fears of stigma and mistrust of the healthcare system or the experience of high levels of toxic stress stemming from economic, social, and health related inequities. These issues are just a few examples of why Black mothers may not receive mental health support when they truly need it. In the United States, women of color are disproportionately affected by pregnancy complications such as preterm labor, perinatal loss, and maternal mortality. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed that Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications and twice as likely to lose an infant to premature death. With so many barriers to care, it is imperative that providers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and resources to support Black mothers whenever they reach out for help. This newsletter aims to provide Black mothers, other ethnic and racial groups, and care providers with tips, information, and resources about Black mental health and wellness across the reproductive lifespan |
About this Newsletter's Author: Kima Tozay is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a bereaved mom who is dedicated to supporting and advocating for those experiencing infertility and perinatal loss. Kima and a team of bereaved mothers, were instrumental in getting the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth legislation passed in WA. She is a Return to Zero Hope board member and group facilitator. Kima is also the Secretary of PSI Washington's State Chapter and a member of the Snohomish County Perinatal Mental Health Taskforce.
The importance of Maternal Mental Health Conversations:
Sharing my truth
By Danesha B. Deloatch, MS, LMFT
“One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else's survival guide” – Brené Brown
In the Black community, mental health and reproductive concerns are not openly discussed. Black women tend to not ask for help and minimize their concerns for many reasons. Many people in my life were not even aware of the day to day battles I was enduring. My experience with mental health and reproductive issues started when I was a Sophomore in college. I noticed gradually each month my cycle became longer and heavier. A few months after being diagnosed with Anemia my menstrual cycle started and it did not stop—one month passed, two months passed, and on to the third month. I went to my OB/GYN and the doctor looked me in the eyes and stated, “you are fine, everyone’s cycle is different, and they can change.” She sent me home. Now I am not a medical doctor, but I can guess that this was not normal. I sought a second opinion, and I received the diagnosis of fibroids, a foreign term to me. I was now at the other end of the spectrum, going from I am fine to I was about to have immediate surgery without any explanation. It made me curious, why as Black women we do not discuss reproductive matters more often.
About the Author: Danesha B. Deloatch, MS, LMFT, is a graduate of the Valdosta State University Marriage and Family Therapy Program. Danesha is licensed in WA state, her home state of Georgia, and is an AAMFT Clinical Fellow. Danesha currently works full time for the military and is the founder of Breaking Barriers Therapeutic Services, PLLC. Danesha is devoted to work with underrepresented populations improving access to clinical services for underserved populations.
Why Culturally Matched Care Matters
Interview with PS-WA Staff, Latonia Westerfield
The Parent Education Resilience Collaborative (PERC) is PS-WA’s newest parent support program. This program focuses not just on the role of being a parent, it includes the whole person. Incorporating specialized peer support, wellness, and mental health strategies to increase parent resilience. To learn more, here is my interview with Latonia Westerfield, a Parent Resilience Specialist with the PERC Program. Below are a few excerpts from our conversation.
"We need uncles, we need grandmas, we need aunties, we need everybody to be looking out for new parents...
What I enjoy most about what I do is witnessing people recognize that they already have these skills and these tools inside of them and in their community...
It’s about navigating systems in a way that fits you as a marginalized person or person who has historically had to be more resilient. When you are doing that with a person who comes from your community, you just get it. You get better support. It's more relaxed. A lot of my families say it’s like talking to a friend...
I would really like people to know, particularly BIPOC, that there is nothing wrong talking about what you are feeling and experiencing. It doesn’t mean you are weak and not resilient."
Wellness Tips for Black Mental Health
Courtesy of Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)
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Legislative Update Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 On May 12, 2021, the first bill, Protecting Moms Who Served Act, passed the House of Representatives with bi-partisan support. Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Congresswoman Alma Adams, Senator Cory Booker, and members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021. This legislation, which contains 12 bills, will help fill gaps in existing legislation to improve health outcomes for BIPOC moms and tackle long-standing health care disparities. Endorsed by 240+ organizations, the bill aims to support moms with maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders to address clinical and non-clinical factors associated with the current maternal health crisis. |
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