Black Perinatal Mental Health: Current Evidence, Gaps, and the Road to Equity-Handout: Slides

Handout: Slides

Pdf Summary

This document is a presentation on the topic of Black perinatal mental health. It discusses the prevalence of mental illness among Black birthing people during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. The presentation highlights the disparities in understanding prevalence and experience, as well as the characteristic differences in symptom presentation and identification of illness for Black birthing people.<br /><br />The document also addresses risk factors for Black perinatal mental illness, including less social support, perceived stress, racial discrimination, and a history of trauma. It emphasizes the impact of structural and social determinants of health on the onset and recurrence of Black perinatal mental illness.<br /><br />The presentation explores the relationship between perinatal mental illness and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, including the increased risk of pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, low birth weight, and disruptions in infant development. It also discusses the impact of perinatal mental illness on maternal mortality and suicide rates in Black perinatal people.<br /><br />The document provides information on screening tools used to identify perinatal depression in Black perinatal people, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. It acknowledges the need for culturally informed and validated instruments for accurate screening.<br /><br />The presentation addresses barriers to treatment for Black perinatal mental illness, including structural racism, medical mistrust, cultural barriers, and stigma. It emphasizes the importance of patient-centered, culturally aligned, and trauma-informed care.<br /><br />Lastly, the document discusses the need for further research on trajectories of depressive and anxiety symptoms, prevalence of perinatal bipolar disorder, and the impact of social determinants of health on perinatal mental health outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of education and training, integrated care and decision making, investment in community programs and research, and increased representation of Black mental health professionals in addressing the disparities in Black perinatal mental health.<br /><br />Overall, this presentation highlights the urgent need for equitable care and support for Black perinatal mental health.

Keywords

Black perinatal mental health

mental illness

disparities

symptom presentation

risk factors

neonatal outcomes

screening tools

barriers to treatment

trauma-informed care

equitable care