Why do we need Black Maternal Mental Health Week in the UK #BMMHW?

Postnatal depression or anxiety in black mothers is 13% (this number has increased)  higher than in white mothers. A 2011 study found that black women are the group least likely to initiate treatment for postnatal mental illness, and the least likely to receive follow-up treatment. And this racial disparity is putting the lives of black mothers at risk. Research in 2018 found that 23% of women who died in the postnatal period suffered from mental health disorders, and suicide is now the second leading cause of maternal death in the UK. A study in 2010 found that healthcare professionals in the UK lacked the training and the confidence for identifying the specific needs of black women – causing black mothers to ‘fall through the net’.

 

Join us as we continue to spread awareness and amplify the black motherhood mental health experience  in the UK.

 

This is a call to action for any organisation or individuals to share any useful information and participate in ways that can bring awareness to all. Please donate to the Black Mum Support Fund.

 

As the week progresses, we will be sharing a series of video content, written pieces, hosting zoom discussions and social media talks on the below themes. Please follow @themotherhoodgroup on Instagram, @motherhoodgroup on Twitter and sign up to our newsletter to get all updates on #BMMHW20 here  

 

28th Sept - Why do we need a black maternal mental health week?

Video Content - Discussion speaking with:

Sandra Igwe - Founder of The Motherhood Group, mother of two with lived experience

Shomi Williams - Psychological well-being therapist and black mental health activist 

Kemi Akinwunmi - Registered midwife, specialist in community public health nursing and mother

Fiona Small - Founder of Young Mums Support Network, mother of two.

29th Sept - Self love - what does it look like?

Video Content - Self-Care tips for black mothers to boost their maternal mental health 

Nehanda Truscott -Reid - Wellness Coach for mothers, and mother of two.

30th Sept - Speaking out - sharing our stories and amplifying our voices.

Video Content - Black mothers from The Motherhood Group speaking on their experience.

Written Content - 'My Truth', blog piece written from a black mother speaking on her maternal mental health challenges.

Zoom discussion - all can attend. 8:30PM - 9:30PM

Zoom link here Meeting ID: 848 9307 0152 | Passcode: 930539

1st Oct - Good support - offering guidance and signposting

Written guidance content for mothers - Perinatal Mental Health Partnership

2nd Oct - Strong Black Woman Myth & Cultural Factors

Video content - Mars Lord, Birth Activist and Award Winning Doula

Video content - Black mums 'don't like to talk about depression'.

3rd Oct - Creating Safe spaces - Black Mum Fest 2020

The UK's first fest dedicated to the black motherhood experience, panel discussions, workshops and break-out sessions.

Location: Bellavita Academy, 3:30pm - 8:30pm (registration closed)

4th Oct - Self-reflection - what can we do better to improve BMMH

Donate to the 'Black Mum Support Fund' here : https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/blackmumsupportfund

Video Content - Dr. Jessica Fletcher-Rogers, Specialist Registrar Doctor in Adult Mental Health, special interest in perinatal mental health in the black community.

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