Mood disorders experienced by pregnant and postpartum women: These actions are critical to helping ensure that pregnant and postpartum women of color can stop suffering in silence and can gain access to the necessary supports and services in times when they are experiencing perinatal mood disorders. Support policies that improve work-family balance for women in the workplace.Amplify and support women of color-led organizations.Educate health care providers, patients, and communities about the importance of mental health care access.Develop policies and education campaigns in a way that takes into account the lived experiences of pregnant and postpartum women of color.Conduct additional research on perinatal mood disorders.Fund large-scale, culturally appropriate public education campaigns.Support the integration of mental health screenings into other health care settings.Improve access to culturally competent and well-trained mental health care providers.Support comprehensive health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including mental health services and maternity care.The personal testimonies of black women affected by perinatal mood disorders can be found in text boxes throughout this report.*įinally, this report outlines the following recommendations for policymakers, health care providers, researchers, and advocates in order to better address perinatal mood disorders among women of color: The adversities discussed include lack of access to mental health services, economic insecurity, strong black woman syndrome, gender discrimination, and racism. It also draws connections between social, economic, and political adversities and higher rates of perinatal mood disorders. This report touches upon mood disorders for different groups of women of color, shedding particular light on the unique experiences of black pregnant and postpartum women facing mental health issues. 4 The racial disparity is vast and mirrors major gaps in both screening and treatment for mood disorders among women. 3 Studies have shown that women of color experience postpartum depression at a rate of close to 38 percent compared with approximately 13 to 19 percent for all postpartum women. 2 Perinatal mood disorders-including postpartum depression-can affect any woman, yet women of color often face life circumstances that increase their likelihood of experiencing perinatal mood disorders. According to the World Health Organization, pregnant and postpartum women experiencing severe forms of mental disorders may commit suicide.

Suffer in silence