Black maternal mental health resources are needed, urge Congressional support!

TELL CONGRESS: It’s time to invest in Black Maternal Mental Health!

As the call for more mental health services intensifies in the United States, it’s important that we urge our leaders to remember that Black maternal mental health care is part of that urgent need.

Maternal mental health disorders like postpartum depression are so common, and Black women are twice as likely as all other women to experience maternal mental health symptoms but only half as likely to receive treatment. Historical inequities are part of the reason why Black women face greater barriers to seeking treatment.

There is legislation pending in Congress that would effectively address the Black maternal mental health crisis and we must urge our leaders to support it!

The Moms Matter Act, which is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus, will invest in prevention, intervention, and treatment as well as help grow and diversify the maternal mental health workforce. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus is a comprehensive package of bills that must also be passed, which includes significant investments in community-based programs that are working to address equity issues in maternal health, provide funding for tech to address racism and biases in screening and treatment, and expand mental health treatments and supports. This holistic package will go far to change our country’s position as the most dangerous place to give birth among industrialized nations.

Dear Member of Congress:

The call for increased mental health services and treatment must include Black mothers who are the most marginalized when it comes to our nation’s mental health crisis.

While maternal mental health conditions, like postpartum depression and anxiety, are the most common complications of pregnancy and childbirth, Black women experience maternal mental health symptoms at nearly twice the rate of all women. Shockingly, they are half as likely to receive treatment.

Black women and birthing people face multiple barriers to accessing treatment including stigma, financial barriers, justified fears of the involvement of child welfare systems, and insufficient culturally competent care.

As a proud member of MomsRising, I urge you to vote YES on the Moms Matter Act, which is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus. This legislation will invest in prevention, intervention, and treatment as well as help grow and diversify the maternal mental health workforce. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus is a comprehensive package of bills that includes significant investments in community-based programs to diversify the maternal health workforce, provide funding for tech to address racism and biases in screening and treatment, and expand mental health treatments and supports.

We must invest in these maternal health equity lifelines that help new mothers and babies thrive.

Sincerely,

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