The Importance of Black Maternal Mental Health
Black women are more likely to experience perinatal mental health issues but less likely to receive support.
Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK is the annual awareness week The Motherhood Group coordinates. It is a crucial initiative which focuses on the wellbeing of Black mothers and children and starts on the 23rd of September. The theme this year is “transforming and advancing change” which is integral for driving meaningful progress.
Maternal mental health means a woman’s emotional and psychological wellbeing during pregnancy and the postpartum period. It includes conditions such as postpartum depression, anxiety, postpartum psychosis, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. These are conditions which can arise due to hormonal changes, physical and emotional stress, and the life transitions that often occur during motherhood. We must prioritise maternal mental health, so that we support the mental health of both the mother and child, promote healthier families, and create stronger communities.
Focusing on Black maternal mental health is critical due to the disproportionate challenges Black mothers face. This includes but is not limited to higher maternal mortality rates – Black women are four times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than White women. As well as increased risk of mental health difficulties. A study by Mind found that “23% of Black women experienced a mental health problem during pregnancy compared to 15% of White women”.
Black mothers face unique challenges during pregnancy and after childbirth. Systemic racism impacts Black women’s pregnancy experiences, contributing to significant disparities in maternal health. Implicit bias in healthcare often leads to Black women’s concerns being dismissed or inadequately addressed, resulting in delayed or poor-quality care. This, combined with the higher maternal mortality rates, reflects deep-rooted racial inequities in the healthcare system. Chronic stress from experiencing racism can also increase risks for complications like premature birth and hypertension. Additionally, many Black women face barriers to accessing culturally competent care, leaving them feeling unsupported.
Open conversations about Black maternal mental health can help reduce the stigma by normalising discussions about mental health struggles, breaking the silence that often surrounds these concerns. When Black women share their experiences of postpartum depression, anxiety, or trauma, it helps other people recognise that these challenges are common and not a sign of weakness. As these conversations increase, the more they can empower Black women to prioritise their mental health and advocate for better support.
Black Maternal Mental Health Week plays a key role in raising awareness of these issues, educating people about and advocating for better mental health support and outcomes for Black mothers. It also starts that conversation about Black maternal mental health, creating safe spaces to share experiences and find support.
We need to call for systematic changes in the healthcare system to address racial biases and ensure that Black mothers can receive equitable and culturally competent mental health support.
The Motherhood Group is organising this year’s Black Maternal Mental Health Week, and they are promoting the campaign on social media platforms asking Black mothers to share their experiences online using the hashtags: #BMMHW24 #BMMHW #BlackMaternalMentalHealthWeekUK
Breaking the silence and having open discussions about Black maternal mental health is vital to challenge stereotypes, reduce the stigma, and ultimately support the wellbeing of Black mothers and their families.