Today kicks off Black Maternal Mental Health Week! And we are proud to be joining forces with mental health advocates, organizational leaders, and moms across the U.S. as we advocate for change all week! 


Created and hosted by Shades of Blue Project, this year’s #BMMHW2022 is dedicated to promoting health equity for more black birthing individual across their birth experience so we are Collectively working for greater community impact and change. Together, we can make shift happen!


Key Facts:

➤ Rates of PPD in new & expectant moms have doubled during COVID, with black moms at 2-3x higher risk but are nearly 2X less likely to receive mental health treatment.

➤ With stay-at-home orders, black moms were hit the hardest in parental duties by  spending half a day (12 hours) more on child care per week than white moms.

➤ 20 percent of women display symptoms of perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. The figure climbs to 44 percent for black women compared to white women.

➤ Black moms contend with unique challenges from the racial disparities amplified by COVID, including lack of high-quality medical care, increased stress and exposure to racial trauma, and higher risk of childbirth complications.

➤ From dismissed medical needs to birthing complications, black women are more likely to experience traumatic births and the mental health consequences that follow.

➤ Cultural barriers and a lack of representation in the mental health field continue to limit black women from seeking help. According to American Psychological Association, only 5.3% of the psychology professionals are black; and of the estimated 41,000 psychiatrists in the U.S., only 2% are black according to the American Psychiatric Association — despite making up 13% of the U.S. population. 


📢 WILL YOU DEMAND CHANGE WITH US? Urge your elected officials to support the Moms Matter Act (S. 484/H.R. 909), which addresses equity in maternal mental health — with just a few clicks!

TAKE ACTION: ow.ly/XlIi50JZExW



Learn more about this week of action at https://lnkd.in/dThHN-U

#BMMHW2022 is dedicated to promoting #healthequity for more Black moms and birthing individuals across their birth experience so they can reclaim their joy and reinstate their peace of mind.


Tickets are available for the 2022 BMMH Summit in collaboration with Own Every Piece, We Can Do More, and UTHealth. This year, the summit is hybrid-format and will provide attendees in the health profession (clinical providers, educators, social workers, counselors, community advocates and researchers) with information on providing compassionate maternal, perinatal, and postpartum care to women from marginalized communities. 


The Shades of Blue Project is a Houston-based Non-Profit organization. With its continued focus on improving, Maternal Mental Health outcomes for black and brown birthing people, The Shades of Blue Project will be opening a new Maternal and Mental Health Resource Center located in the North Houston area of the city. The center will offer social support services, job placement skills, onsite therapy sessions, support groups, and many more dedicated services to benefit the community.

This week, hosted by Shades of Blue Project, is chock-full of events:

✦ Tuesday, July 19 — Local Press Conference at City Hall

✦ Wednesday, July 20 — INSPIRE Method Training  *in-person

✦ Thursday & Friday, July 21 & 22 — Black Maternal Mental Health Summit #BMMHS2022

✦ Saturday, July 23 — INSPIRE Brunch & Community Award Ceremony

✦ Sunday, July 24 — Postpartum Depression Awareness Walk & Fun Day — join in-person OR virtually! #INSPIREWALK

✦ Monday, July 25 — State of Black Maternal Mental Health 2.0 featuring a star-studded lineup!

Learn more & register: https://lnkd.in/dThHN-U