Destiny Hilliard-Thomas, LCPC’s Post

It’s Black Maternal Mental Health Week! The week is aimed to raise awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by Black mothers during pregnancy and after childbirth. This year, the theme is ‘Breaking cultural barriers’. Black mothers are often disproportionately affected by mental health issues during perinatal and postpartum periods. Yet, these struggles are frequently overlooked. Black mothers face unique challenges to their mental health, due to factors such as racial discrimination and limited access to culturally competent care. As a result, they experience higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression. By shining a light on the unique mental health disparities experienced by this community, the week-long campaign aims to promote understanding and drive positive change in maternal healthcare practices. This campaign is led by our friends The Motherhood Group – who are dedicated to supporting and sharing the Black maternal experience. This week, together with The Motherhood Group, we’ll be sharing stories and advice from Black mothers about breaking cultural barriers and improving maternal mental health for Black mums. #BMMHW23 #BMMHW #BlackMaternalMentalHealthWeekUK

🌸 July is BIPOC Mental Health Month 🌸 Mothers and birthing people of color face unique barriers to mental health care. Black women are twice as likely as white women to experience MMH conditions but half as likely to receive care. Here are some strategies to break these barriers and support BIPOC birthing people: 1. Acknowledge Racism & Cultural Oppression: Understand the impact of systemic racism and cultural oppression on mental health. 2. Culturally Relevant Support: Provide social support that respects cultural backgrounds during pregnancy and postpartum. 3. Holistic & Humble Care: Offer services that are informed by cultural humility and holistic approaches. 4. Empower Through Policy: Advocate for political and economic policies that support communities of color. 5. Educate Healthcare Providers: Educate healthcare professionals on culturally appropriate mental health care. Source: @mmhla2’s Fact Sheet “Black Women, Birthing People, and Maternal Mental Health.” Visit our link in bio to view the full fact sheet. #BIPOCMentalHealthMonth #SupportMothersOfColor #EndTheStigma #DiversityInHealthcare #MaternalMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness

Maternal mental health (MMH) is the most common complication of childbirth, affecting up to one in five women, with disproportionate impact in BIPOC communities and other marginalized groups, and intersecting with a wide array of societal issues and systems.  When birthing people receive the mental health interventions they need, they are better able to bond with their babies, which forms the foundation for positive outcomes throughout the infants’ lives. We focus on systems change. Investing in national advocacy for policy, public resource flows, and connections and relationships has resulted in important returns for the issue of MMH from which to further build. Since 2020, Perigee Fund grantees Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA), the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health (formerly 2020 Mom), and Shades of Blue Project have brought their unique expertise together to advance several federal policies critical to positive MMH outcomes. Learn more about the important work being done to support national policy change advocacy: https://lnkd.in/eFMA-r99 #PerigeeFund #GranteeStories #NationalPolicyAdvocacy

We’ve entered a place where we’re talking more about maternal mental health, encouraging moms to speak up and get help. Yet, the amount of services available to them is still inadequate. We cannot continue to underfund maternal health initiatives. We cannot continue to ignore the maternal health crisis in this country. We cannot continue to be the most dangerous country to give birth in, especially for black and brown women. We cannot continue to use skin color as an indicator of the types of services a mother is eligible for. Our moms deserve better. Our families deserve better, our children deserve better. Moms mental health impacts everyone else’s health, so why have we not moved the needle forward more when it comes to taking care of her, and wrapping our arms around her as a country?? Like most other things in life it falls on mom to find and get help. So, just as we’ve always done, as sisters we will continue to rise out of the darkness and take care of one another. How are you showing up as a provider contributing to better outcomes and safer spaces for moms? I’m opening up my community for moms, The Nest for ONE dollar per year starting this month. I’m tired of hearing a mother cannot afford something she desperately needs. So, if you’re that mom, follow the link below and get into a safe, supportive, and educational space that will upflit you and provide you with one place filled with resources. https://lnkd.in/dqWApFZt #maternalmentalhealth #postpartumsupport #fourthtrimester.

A study published by the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that Black women were two times more likely to report suicide ideation in the immediate postpartum period, in comparison to their white counterparts. With early screening, we can prevent maternal deaths. Our Redleaf Center for Family Healing is here to change the state of #BlackMaternalHealth. As Minnesota’s first intensive mental health program for pregnant and postpartum mothers, we invest in children by investing in their parents. By supporting the emotional well-being and parenting capacity of adults, we make a long-term investment in the health of babies and young children. #BMHW24 More on the study: https://ow.ly/jBEM50Rca2t About Redleaf: redleaffamilyhealing.org Photo by Brandon Stengel – farmkidstudios.com

🌸 May is Postpartum Depression Awareness Month! 🌸 As we celebrate the joys of motherhood, let's also acknowledge the realities many face. Postpartum depression affects countless new mothers, yet stigma often prevents open discussion. Postpartum care is crucial for mothers recovering after childbirth. In 2023 I was proud to co-author HB 12, which extends Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months of postpartum care. Starting this year, Medicaid and CHIP coverage now extends to a full year after childbirth and will benefit approximately 137,000 women in 2025. Previously, coverage expired after just two months. This expansion is crucial as 1 in 5 Texas women experience postpartum depression, exceeding the national average. As your State Rep, I'm committed to advocating for policies that prioritize maternal mental health support. Together, let's break the silence, offer support, and ensure every mother feels heard and valued. 💕 #PPDawareness #MaternalMentalHealth #SupportForMothers

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay. On this occasion, we at MMM want to highlight the unique way mental health issues affect mothers and by extension, families and communities at large. Women, especially during and after pregnancy, are especially vulnerable to the effects of poor mental health. ➡ Reports say mental health problems now affect an estimated 84 million people (1 in 6) in the EU, and that the societal and financial implications of this for our societies are great, amassing to about 600 billion euros. Earlier this year, the European Union (EU) Commission announced a new high-priority initiative to address the mental health of all Europeans, with a focus on mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention, as well as the recognition that mental health is about more than just health. ➡ We are calling on the EU Commission to take it a step further and specifically include how this relates to women and mothers – society’s primary carers and key levers for change in our communities. 📣 Read our Call to action here: https://lnkd.in/eqHHdznE #WMHD #WMHD2023

This Mother's Day, we extend our heartfelt wishes to all the remarkable mothers worldwide as we honour the unparalleled strength, love, and unwavering dedication of motherhood. Our recent survey on women's mental well-being has illuminated significant gaps in awareness and resources concerning issues like postnatal depression, miscarriage, and the multifaceted challenges of menopause. This is the last day to engage with this poll, so we encourage you to read our comments and share your insights. Your contributions can make a difference in supporting women's mental well-being! https://lnkd.in/e9Ej5EsK You can also delve into our latest blog post where we delve into the timeline of depression for new mothers. From the joyous moments of childbirth to the potential struggles in the postpartum period, we explore the complexities of maternal mental health with compassion and understanding. https://lnkd.in/eayU_Vdy Together, let us elevate consciousness, foster empathy, and extend unwavering support to one another in the journey of motherhood. #MothersDay #MaternalMentalHealth

📢 10-16th June 2024 is Infant Mental Health Awareness Week! What is Infant Mental Health Awareness Week? Infant Mental Health Awareness Week (IMHAW) provides an annual opportunity to discuss the importance of supporting babies’ mental health and wellbeing. The The Parent-Infant Foundation has supported Infant Mental Health Awareness Week for 8 years, during which time it has grown into a global event. This year, because it is a general election year in the UK, the focus is on raising awareness among political candidates. The theme this year is: Speak up for babies "Too often babies are forgotten about during elections. Babies don’t vote of course, so it’s easy for politicians not to consider what support they need from policymakers. At least one in ten babies is living in fear and distress, at risk of disorganised attachment. Too often babies are overlooked. IMHAW 2024 wants to make sure babies’ voices are heard!"- The Parent-Infant Foundation See more on the Speak Up For Babies campaign & how you can support the cause below. Stay tuned as AAIMH Australian Association for Infant Mental Health will share local and international resources over the next two weeks. #IMHAW2024 #infantmentalhealth

"Breaking the Silence: Postpartum Depression as a Public Health Issue A few minutes ago, I was having a conversation with my roommate about cases she has seen as a student nurse, and she made mention of a woman smashing her infant on the floor because she thought the infant was a demon. As we celebrate motherhood and the joys of parenthood, let's not forget the often-silent struggle many mothers face: postpartum depression. This is a public health issue that affects 1 in 7 women, yet it's frequently swept under the rug. It's time to break the silence and shine a light on this critical topic. Spouses, let's lend a helping hand and create a safe space for our partners to open up. Healthcare workers, let's educate mothers on prioritizing their wellbeing and seeking help when it becomes overwhelming. Together, we can: - Reduce stigma around mental health - Encourage open conversations - Support mothers in their journey - Foster a culture of care and compassion Let's work together to create a society where no mother feels alone or ashamed to seek help. Share your story, offer support, and let's break the silence on postpartum depression. #PostpartumDepression #MentalHealthMatters #SupportMothers ASSOCIATION FOR REPRODUCTIVE AND FAMILY HEALTH , Society for Family Health Nigeria, Blaze Health Foundation .