GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT

Shades of Motherhood Network

Strengthening Community Support for Black Maternal Mental Health

Perigee Fund had the great pleasure of speaking with Shades of Motherhood Network Executive Director Stephaine Courtney about the important work the organization is doing to fill critical gaps in maternal mental health support for Black families in Eastern Washington.

Courtney founded Shades of Motherhood after going through her own difficult fertility journey. Unsure of where to turn, she learned about the work of doulas in supporting families through pregnancy and postpartum, as well as those dealing with infertility. She also learned more about the harmful —often fatal— treatment that Black birthing people face, as their pain and concerns are too often dismissed by a biased healthcare system.

Shades of Motherhood Network is actively promoting collaboration between community organizations and traditional healthcare providers to ensure Black women are seen and heard, and that they have access to culturally relevant prenatal, birthing, and postnatal care.



Doulas are Key to Addressing the Black Maternal Mental Health Crisis

Black mothers face a number of obstacles when trying to access medical and mental health care, structural barriers that discourage them from seeking help and prevent them from accessing it.

  • 40% of Black mothers and birthing people experience maternal mental health conditions.
  • Black mothers and birthing people are twice as likely as White mothers to experience mental health issues, but half as likely to receive treatment.
  • Nearly 60% percent of Black mothers do not receive any support or treatment for prenatal or postnatal mental health.

Doulas play an important role in supporting Black maternal mental prenatal through postpartum.

  • Community-based doulas spend an average of 76 hours with each client compared to traditional healthcare providers at 5.75 hours.
  • Doulas can provide mental health education and resources, connection to community and clinical mental health resources, and emotional support.

Resources

Black Maternal Mental Health Issue Brief

Black Maternal Mental Health: the Data, the Barriers, and Organizations to Support

The Role of Birth and Postpartum Doulas in Improving Maternal Mental Health

Watch the full interview with Stephaine Courtney, hosted by Mariel Mendez

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