12/04/2025
In honor of Black Maternal Health Week 2025, let's touch on a sensitive topic.
Did you know: research shows that Black and Brown people are more likely to experience PMADs (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders), but it’s not because of something inherent—it's due to a mix of systemic, cultural, and social factors that increase risk and decrease access to support.
🌍 Systemic Inequities
-->Less access to quality perinatal care and mental health resources.
-->Discrimination in healthcare settings, which can lead to underdiagnosis or dismissed concerns.
-->Economic barriers, like lack of insurance or paid leave, increased stress and limited support options.
💬 Cultural Stigma
-->In some communities, there’s a strong pressure to appear "strong" or to avoid mental health labels.
-->Talking about mental health, especially as a new parent, might be seen as shameful or taboo.
🧠 Unrecognized & Untreated
-->Black and Brown birthing people are less likely to be screened for PMADs.
-->When they do report symptoms, they’re less likely to be taken seriously or offered treatment that’s culturally appropriate or even affordable.
💔 Trauma & Stress Load
Many Black and Brown people carry the weight of racial trauma, generational stress, and marginalization, which makes the perinatal period even more emotionally loaded.
NO ONE should suffer in silence. What can you do in your community to uplift these voices and have them heard?
