A week of storytelling, support and policy action—centred around Black mothers.
This September, The Motherhood Group leads the fifth annual Black Maternal Mental Health Week. Our theme, “Make Black Mothers Visible,” calls for Black mothers to be counted, heard, and supported through culturally competent care. Visibility isn’t symbolic — it restores dignity and improves outcomes in maternal mental health and beyond. Black mothers face higher risks and barriers to care. They are more than twice as likely to be hospitalised with perinatal mental illness than white mothers, making up 12% of admissions despite only 5% of births (The Guardian). One in five did not seek help for depression during or after pregnancy (Mental Health Foundation). Our Black Maternal Mental Health Report highlights the urgent need for systemic change and safe spaces where Black mothers can share their stories, heal, and access trusted support.
Sandra Igwe, Chief Executive at The Motherhood Group, stated,
"As a Black mother who understands the issues with perinatal mental health, I've seen the critical gaps in our system. The Motherhood Group recognises the importance of destigmatising mental health and empowering Black mothers to lead these conversations. We're bridging the divide between our community and healthcare providers, amplifying our voices, and driving real change."
Mental Health & Digital Support (Spotlight on the BlackMums App)
📍 Microsoft Teams NHS x The Motherhood Group Webinar: Mental Health & Digital Support — what culturally competent digital support looks like and how to signpost.
Community-Led Solutions (Black Maternal Health Conference UK – Streamed)
📍 Streamed nationwide Black Maternal Health Conference UK: Community-Led Solutions — story films, models that scale, commissioning pathways. 👉 Watch on Instagram and YouTube
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