Maternal Mental Health Now

We are grateful to Council President Nury Martinez, Councilman Paul Koretz and Councilwomen Nithya Raman and Monica Rodriguez for their resolutions and a motion to raise awareness, destigmatize and support women who suffer from perinatal depression and other mental health problems that occur during pregnancy and up to a year after giving birth. https://www.dailynews.com//la-city-council-weighs-legisla/ Please show your support for trainings such as this by sending a letter to the LA Board of Supervisors urging them to require perinatal mood disorder training for all county employees. Read more and get involved here: https://www.maternalmentalhealthnow.org/actionalert-042221/

Repost from @thebluedotprj Did you know, maternal mental health disorders, like postpartum depression, are more common than breast cancer or gestational diabetes. The most common maternal mental health disorders are anxiety followed by depression. These disorders can be mild or so severe they become debilitating.... A study conducted during the pandemic shows that rates of clinically significant anxiety and depression symptoms have more than doubled - rising to 72% and 41% respectively - among pregnant and postpartum women. All women are at risk though disparities are stark. Women of color and low-income mothers are faced with overwhelming stressors and not surprisingly are several times more likely to suffer from maternal anxiety or depression., AND are less likely to receive treatment than other mothers. Maternal Mental Health Disorders onset during pregnancy, prior to pregnancy or in the postpartum period. When a mother isn’t properly supported and treated symptoms can persist for years impacting her own health and well-being and potentially her baby’s. #MMHWeek2021 #MakingOverMotherhood #RealMotherhood #MMHDidYouKnow

We are so excited our 2021 Perinatal Mental Health Conference for Black Birth Workers Clinicians & Providers is getting underway today with day 1 out of 4! Thank you to our amazing speakers and to the support from our sponsors!

It is the last day to register for our upcoming conference. This four day series is sure to be impactful and truly a unique learning experience. If you are a Black-identifying birth worker, clinician or practitioner who is based in the LA area we would love to have you. Free of charge through the generous support of LA Care Health Plan and the California Health Care Foundation. https://bit.ly/BBWConference2021

A love letter to Black Birthing People from Black Birth Workers, Midwives, and Physicians* "We write this letter as an expression of love because we see you, we hear you, we know you are scared and we are you." http://www.stlamerican.com//article_e340e790-9fa9-11eb-9fa

Our upcoming conferences are now approved for CME credits! Visit our website to register today: https://www.maternalmentalhealthnow.org/events/

Registration is Now Open!! We are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking conference for Black-identifying birth workers, providers and clinicians in the Los Angeles County area. The 2021 Perinatal Mental Health Conference for Black Birth Workers, Providers, and Clinicians is a 4-part virtual event, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, and 5/21, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm each day. Tickets are free to Black birth workers and therapists in the Los Angeles area. Our mission is to engage Black clini...cians and providers to increase the capacity and competency of the community. Our goal is that Black families will have more opportunities to find specialized perinatal providers who look like them and with whom they can relate. We will present foundational knowledge on perinatal mental health care through a culturally-informed lens. We want to assist the community in building concrete skills and tools to more adequately address the mental health needs of Black women and birthing people and aim to address this specifically within the Los Angeles County area. Tickets are free to Black birth workers in the Los Angeles area. We are currently only able to offer conference seats to those working in Los Angeles County or primarily serving clients in Los Angeles County. We hope to extend the training and content to others in various ways over the upcoming year. Register Here: http://bit.ly/BBWConference2021

We are honored to highlight Black leaders currently making history in the field of perinatal mental health. It is our privilege to know @drchefsheehan who is a perinatal clinical psychologist with a passion toward improving the quality of life during parenthood to create a healthier environment and lifestyle for all family members. He also has a side passion and love for cooking that he aims to tie to the perinatal world. Swipe to read more about him and follow his work. Dr. Fisher will also be speaking at our upcoming conference for Black birth workers, clinicians and practitioners. See the link in our bio for more information. Thank you for your impact and dedication Dr. Fisher.

We are thrilled to introduce our newest online training course: Intersectionality and Perinatal Mental Health. To celebrate we are offering 25% off this and all of our online training courses for the month of February. Use the code "25OFF". Read more about our newest training below and be sure to check out our full online training catalog. The Intersectionality and Perinatal Mental Health training consists of 5 modules: 1) Diversity issues and their relevance in the perinata...l period; 2) Defining Privilege; 3) Defining Intersectionality 4) Tolerating discomfort learning your own biases 5) BIPOC Maternal Health Disparities. Lecturers Dr. Wendy Ashley, PsyD, LCSW and Anna King, LCSW, PMH-C will address intersectionality as it relates to perinatal mental health and implications to the mental and physical well-being of mothers, birthing people, and families. Participants will explore the definition of intersectionality, tools and tips for becoming an intersectional practitioner, and ways to navigate their own discomfort in the process. Participants will also receive an introduction to BIPOC maternal health disparities and guidance for shifting from striving for cultural competence, to aligning with a journey toward cultural humility. CONTINUING EDUCATION This course meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education for LMFTs, LPCCs, LCSWs, LEPs, and psychologists as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and California Board of Psychology. Wellnest is the sponsor of continuing education for this learning module and is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Wellnest as the sponsor maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Discount Code: 25OFF https://maternalmentalhealthnow.talentlms.com//id:152,cms_

We could not agree more! The time to end this is way overdue. Please join us in the fight.

Save the Dates for this Free Conference!! We are thrilled to announce a groundbreaking conference for Black Birthworkers, Providers, and Clinicians in the Los Angeles County area. Our mission is to engage Black clinicians and providers to increase the capacity and competency of the community so that Black families have more opportunities to find specialized perinatal providers who look like them and with whom they can relate to. We hope to present foundational knowledge on p...erinatal mental health care with careful consideration through a culturally-informed lens. We want to assist the community in building concrete skills and tools to more adequately address the mental health needs of Black women and birthing people and aim to address this specifically within the Los Angeles County area. Please help us spread the word. Full conference and registration details to come soon.

The disproportionate impact on Black birthing families - thoughts from the heart of our Development Director, Kimberly Gray. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, Maternal Mental Health NOW is forecasting a significant increase in PMADs. The crisis is having a disproportionate impact on Black birthing people, exacerbating an already prevalent issue. Evidence suggests that we are more likely to experience depression during pregnancy and are at higher risk of delivering preterm ...babies. Recent data shows that new mothers and birthing people are experiencing increased rates of depression and anxiety as a result of the global pandemic - making support systems and trauma-informed care even more critically important. Black doulas are helping to fill the gap in resources for Black birthing families. While there are in-person restrictions due to COVID-19 safety concerns, a number of collaborative efforts have been made to pivot to virtual spaces and maintain resources for families, such as the Frontline Doula Hotline COVID-19 Initiative and the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Doula project. Both are dynamic initiatives that elevate the experiences of Black birth workers and families, helping to inform the need for trauma-informed care and access to quality perinatal mental health education and resources. You can learn more about strategies and recommendations to improve the quality of virtual or hybrid doula care in July as part of our 2021 webinar series. As we head into next year, Maternal Mental Health NOW will continue to address inequities in the identification and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. We are excited to partner with the Streetwyze team to launch the nation’s first community-driven maternal mental health resource directory for birthing people through the Perinatal Mental Healthwyze: Building Tech-Equity for Vulnerable Populations project. This is one solution towards addressing the barriers that stand between communities of color and the successful linkage to quality mental health treatment. As a Black mother, raising two beautifully bright Black children, my mental health has been severely impacted by the latitude of crises facing us, along with the historical trauma experienced daily. As I see the face of my children in the faces of those that we have lost this year, I also see the hearts of new families that are severely impacted by similar levels of despair - now more than ever. Please join me and our team efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing injustices that pervade our communities by making a gift to support Maternal Mental Health NOW's work today. In partnership, Kimberly Gray Maternal Mental Health NOW Please consider making a gift to Maternal Mental Health NOW. It will be matched, thanks to the generosity of our Governing Council - up to $10,000. TODAY, let's make a lasting difference together! https://maternalmentalhealthnow.networkforgood.com//117985

We believe deeply in the power of telling your story and are grateful for every brave woman who does. Let’s end the stigma and reduce the barriers together. https://www.thesun.co.uk//new-mums-pregnancy-mental-healt/

Wishing light and life and love this first night of Hanukkah to all who celebrate it.

It’s #humanrights day and we stand with the @unitednations in calling for our nation and world to recover better particularly around birthing rights and mental health rights. We believe that all babies should be born to healthy families, regardless of income, race, geographical location or education level. We believe that all individuals should have access to highly qualified practitioners and whole family support. We endeavor to see this become reality.

Join the Los Angeles Public Library and Maternal Mental Health NOW for a weekly storytelling and informational series on maternal and family mental health with special guests, Paulina Lopez and Bricia Lopez of the Super Mamás podcast. Program topics range from postpartum depression (and recognizing the symptoms) to the impact of racism on maternal health to understanding how to navigate paid leave. https://www.lapl.org/maternal-mental-health

Providers are amazing and true heroes. We see evidence of this every day and even more so during the pandemic. They show up for their clients while navigating the stressors in their own life. PTSD and depression are on the rise among providers. Swipe through the slides to read more. We are dedicated to supporting them through education and resources but we need your help. Consider supporting a provider today as they support birthing people and their families. This week your gift will be doubled matched by a generous donation from our governing council, so your $100 becomes $300! Send your love and support to a provider today.

It’s Election Day! We’re sending love and support as you use your voice and step into your right to vote.

Miscarriage happens statistically for every 1 out of 4 women. Sharing stories helps us all to talk about it more. Thank you to this courageous mom for doing just that.

November 1st was National Authors Day so we are using the week to celebrate the authors that courageously share their stories of perinatal mental health, that inspire and challenge our thinking, or entertain us. First up is a throw back to our first author talk with Sarah Menkedick, author of "Ordinary Insanity" and Jaclyn Cohen whose story is featured in the book. Thank you both for being fearless in your recounting of postpartum anxiety, depression and psychosis. Check out their author talk! https://zoom.us//vcAlIr_5p283Gd2QsASDVvcsW47oK_qs1iNN-PIPy

We are using the month of October to shine the light on Pregnancy and Infant Loss. If you are a provider wanting more information on this topic please take our Maternal Mental Health: Miscarriage, Sillbirth & Infant Death course. This course defines perinatal loss, addresses how infant loss affects mothers and fathers, discusses cultural considerations around perinatal loss and provides resources to providers serving families dealing with loss. Includes an interview with Dr.... Ivy Margulies, an expert in perinatal loss. Learning objectives include: (1) Recognize the range of emotional reactions to perinatal loss in grieving parents; (2) Describe how mothers and fathers grieve differently; (3) Describe various strategies to support bereaved parents; and (4) Identify resources for bereaved parents. Available with or without CEUs Register here: https://maternalmentalhealthnow.talentlms.com/cata//id:128

We are 6 days away from Election Day! You voice matters and we encourage you to participate as you can.

Don't Miss Thursday's Free Webinar! Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Perinatal Mental Health This webinar will focus on somatic interventions for trauma-informed Perinatal Mental Health. The perinatal period brings particular risks for trauma as well as challenges for self-regulation. We will explore the connections between trauma, self-regulation, and how to work with the particular conditions of the perinatal period. Common somatic and self-regulation symptoms of trauma will ...be reviewed with a focus on how to develop trauma-informed psychoeducation. Dr. Vissing is a Licensed Psychologist certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) in private practice in Westwood, Los Angeles. She practices trauma-informed somatic psychotherapy, teaches at Antioch and Reiss-Davis Graduate School, and provides trainings and consultations for providers as Training Faculty for Maternal Mental Health NOW. Dr. Alyssa Berlin is a clinical psychologist specializing in pregnancy, postpartum, parenting and trauma. She is trained in EMDR and Somatic Experiencing, a certified Gottman educator, serves as a labor support doula, and created The AfterBirth Plan Workshop. Dr. Alyssa is on the Board of Advisors for the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) and is a faculty member of Maternal Mental Health NOW Training institute. You can read Dr. Alyssa's blogs on the Huffington Post where she contributes to PBS's 'This Emotional Life" project. Objectives for this webinar: 1. Identify and describe somatic symptoms of trauma in the Perinatal Period in ways that can be used for trauma-informed psychoeducation for new parents. 2. Explain the importance of self-regulation skills for trauma healing and the particular challenges of self-regulation in the perinatal period. 3. Describe 3 main tenets of trauma-informed somatic interventions for Perinatal Mental Health TO RECEIVE CEU (LCSW/LMFT/LPCC/LEP/PSYD only!), PROCEED WITH $15 PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION. TO ATTEND THE WEBINAR FREE OF CHARGE WITH NO CEU, ENTER DISCOUNT CODE 'FREE' TO REGISTER!

Join the NOVEMBER cohort of Thriving While Black: Black Mamas Glowing Through COVID-19 We are offering six series of Thriving While Black: Black Mamas Glowing Through COVID-19 for pregnant and birthing people residing or working in Los Angeles County. Participants can register independently or with a support person. Open to birthing persons and their immediate support person (the one that will be in the room when baby comes). Each series of Thriving While Black consists of 4 ...meetings. All meeting times are 5:30pm-6:30pm and will take place on Zoom. Registration fees for November and December 2020 meetings are covered thanks to the generous sponsorship of Moms Club Burbank East! Registration link is here: https://maternalmentalhealthnow.org/circles

Thriving While Black: Black Mamas Glowing Through COVID-19 We are offering six series of Thriving While Black: Black Mamas Glowing Through COVID-19 for pregnant and birthing people residing or working in Los Angeles County. Participants can register independently or with a support person. Open to birthing persons and their immediate support person (the one that will be in the room when baby comes). Each series of Thriving While Black consists of 4 meetings. All meeting ...times are 5:30pm-6:30pm and will take place on Zoom. Registration fees for October, November and December 2020 meetings are covered thanks to the generous sponsorship of Moms Club Burbank! Registration link is here: https://maternalmentalhealthnow.org/circles

Join Us! THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 | 12 PM - 1 PM PT Somatic Experiencing and Perinatal Mental Health... Webinar Faculty: Dr. Alyssa Berlin & Dr. Helena Vissing This webinar will focus on somatic interventions for trauma-informed Perinatal Mental Health. The perinatal period brings particular risks for trauma as well as challenges for self-regulation. We will explore the connections between trauma, self-regulation, and how to work with the particular conditions of the perinatal period. Common somatic and self-regulation symptoms of trauma will be reviewed with a focus on how to develop trauma-informed psychoeducation. https://maternalmentalhealthnow.org/2020webinarseries

My advice would be: no matter how embarrassed you may feel, there is no shame in what you’re going through. There are a lot of women who will know how you feel. I wish I’d known that it’s more common than I first thought and that I am not crazy. We need more than a six-week check-up with a health worker: in every doctor’s office there should be leaflets about postnatal depression and the risk factors involved for getting it. https://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/postnatal-depression

Every time I’d think I have it under control, something would happen that triggered it, he says. There’d be an argument over bathing the baby, say, and Greene would suddenly find himself thinking, Maybe I am fucking incompetent and don’t know what I’m doing with this, and I’m a terrible fucking person, he says, and it’d go back into that spiral of loneliness, darkness feeling like there was no outlet for me to express what was going on. https://www.menshealth.com//new-dad-depression-male-postp/

The efforts Harris has made to improve Black maternal healthincluding introducing the Maternal CARE Act and Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020have been a crucial step toward repairing racial inequalities in the United States. "Every day, pregnant women walk into their doctor’s office for checkups, advice and treatment; but that experience is very different for Black women," Harris wrote. "Black women are three to four times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes and twice as likely to suffer from life-threatening pregnancy-related complications. These disparities persist regardless of one’s income or education level," Harris wrote. https://www.oprahmag.com//kamala-harris-black-maternal-he/

Thriving While Black is a virtual support network formed to reduce isolation and build community for Black birthing families and the collegial network of birth workers and supporters. The focus is on stress and Black pregnant women and birthing people during and through COVID-19. Each series of Thriving While Black consists of 4 meetings. All meeting times are 5:30pm-6:30pm and will take place on Zoom. Dates for the October 2020 series are: Thursday October 1st: Safe & Sacred... Birth Planning Thursday October 8th: Myths & Truths About Mental and Emotional Wellness Thursday October 15th: Tapping Into Social Support Thursday October 22nd: Self-Advocacy from Prenatal Care to Delivery Registration fees for all participants (birthing person + support person) for the October series of Thriving While Black is generously covered by MOMS Club of Burbank. Register HERE: https://maternalmentalhealthnow.networkforgood.com//23812- https://www.youtube.com/watch