ACOG Hosts Briefing for Black Maternal Mental Health Week

Black Maternal Mental Health Week is July 19-25. To raise awareness on this critical issue, ACOG partnered with organizations including the Shades of Blue Project, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, American Psychological Association, and National Alliance on Mental Illness to host a briefing for Congressional staff this week.

The briefing highlighted the importance of bridging the gaps in maternal mental health experienced by Black women as we address disproportionate rates of pregnancy-related deaths among Black women. Panelists discussed the critical need to center maternal mental health and invest in providing Black women resources for increased access to mental health services.

This issue is especially concerning as the pandemic has forced us to decrease socialization and created additional barriers in accessing support, which can contribute to postpartum depression and anxiety.

We encourage you to join us in elevating Black Maternal Mental Health Week. To learn more information follow ACOG on twitter @ACOGAction and the Shades of Blue Project @shadesofblueprj.