“Black mums get postpartum depression more but are the least likely to be diagnosed – I built a digital clinic to help”

It’s no secret that Black mothers are disproportionately affected by maternal mental health care.

As a person that worked in the healthcare system, I was aware of the racial disparities, but becoming a patient allowed me to experience what countless Black mothers, including women we know like Beyonce and Serena Williams, were victims to a healthcare system that did not include the well-being and proper care of Black mothers.

I was not heard. I was not treated as a patient but as a number and my emotional and physical needs were not met by my medical providers.

A recent report from the American Psychological Association found that half of all Black women experience postpartum depression, compared to just 10 per cent of white women.

Unfortunately, there are few resources available to help Black communities and families and even fewer studies on how best to treat postpartum depression in Black mothers.

The lack of resources and my traumatic birthing experience led me to develop and launch Candlelit Care, a maternal mental health platform that promotes health equity, celebrates Black identity, and access to an easy way to culturally-based treatment.

My platform’s digital clinic screens Black mothers for overlooked stress and other indicators of perinatal mood disorders and preterm birth. By using technology, we developed unique training and screenings by using AI to connect healthcare providers, offer proactive screenings, and deter maternal mortality.

This is why it’s so important for us as parents and advocates for maternal mental health care to take action now.

We need more research into how Black mums can access effective treatment options. We need better access to information about what postpartum depression looks like and we need doctors who are trained on how best to provide care for mothers/and birthing parents experiencing these symptoms so they can get receive proper and effective treatment.

The systemic barriers to proper maternal mental healthcare

The historical and current systemic barriers that Black women have faced in our healthcare system have led to poor maternal health outcomes, including higher rates of postpartum depression and anxiety than white women.

This is due in part to the fact that the training and screening that medical providers use for treating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) is not culturally relevant to Black mothers and families.

Postpartum mood and anxiety disorder can be different for Black mothers

As a Black mother, I am made aware that there are systemic barriers to proper maternal mental health care.

Different moods and anxiety reactions are different amongst Black mothers, and instead of being given treatment is often misdiagnosed, stigmatised, and stereotyped as being “the angry Black woman.”

Additionally, according to Ciera Graham, P.HD, Black women experience “the stigma of seeking services, hesitancy in being comfortable with wearing the self-care hat, of what it means to be strong, having difficulty finding a safe space to emotionally let go without feeling judged, and lack of empowerment to call out trauma in its various forms”.

These factors also include:

• The lack of culturally competent providers who understand the unique needs of Black mothers and birthing parents.
• A lack of access to healthcare services in general, especially for low-income families and communities of colour.
• A history of racism within the medical field has led to distrust among Black patients when seeking help from white doctors or nurses and vice versa. This distrust can make it difficult for mothers to feel comfortable sharing their experiences with others.

The importance of postpartum self-care

Postpartum self-care is an important part of maternal mental health and it includes things like baths, walks outside, as well as better sleep, diet and exercise.

It can be difficult to take time for yourself after giving birth, but it is essential that you do so in order to stay healthy and happy.

If you are experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety, it’s also important to seek support from family members who understand what you are going through.

If possible, try talking with someone who has gone through something similar before.

Having someone who knows how hard it can help make the process easier on both parties involved and you’ll feel less alone.

How Black mothers and birthing parents can advocate for themselves

As a Black mother, you have the power to advocate for yourself in the healthcare system. Here are some actionable steps that you can take:

• Document everything, and make sure you or your partner have your health records and symptoms documented for the rest of your birthing team.
• Have a doula on your birthing team- Doulas do more than help you along your birthing journey. They serve as a birth equity advocate for you and your family. They are trained in navigating the healthcare system and are well aware of your needs for you to have a safe delivery and a healthy postpartum period.
• Find support groups online or in person that will help you navigate through this process as well as provide resources that may be helpful to other Black mothers and birthing parents who are experiencing similar challenges. There are many organizations dedicated specifically to supporting Black maternal health, such as the National Birth Equity Collaborative (NBEC).

 

Lauren Elliott is a maternal mental health advocate and founder of the virtual digital mental health platform Candlelit Care.