1. Supporting & Advocating | 2. Educating & Training | 3. Trusted & Safe | 4. Bridging The Gap
Supporting & Advocating
Black mothers are more likely to have postnatal depression than white women, and are the least likely to access support, or have follow-up treatment.
The problem exists because of a lack of trust in the healthcare system, previous negative experiences with the system, taboo, and stigma within the community as well as racism and unconscious biases placed on Black mums. There is also a lack of awareness that mainstream industry and providers have about the issues pertaining to Black Maternal Mental Health.
Our role in the solution:
includes supporting rebuilding the broken trust between the community and service providers, de-stigmatising mental health so mothers can ask for help and highlighting what unconscious bias looks like, how this impacts mothers, and dismantling racism within the healthcare system. We coordinate the annual Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK to raise awareness, advocate and highlight disparities around Black mothers mental health
Educating & Training
Black women are 3.7x more likely to die than white women (previously 5 x more likely) and experience both disparities and inequalities throughout the healthcare system.
The problem exists because Black women are not believed, listened to, or taken seriously when concerns about their health, pregnancy or child have been raised. There is a lack of culturally sensitive and competency training to educate service providers, the NHS, and organisations to understand the Black Maternal Experience.
Our role in the solution:
includes supporting HCP to take a more proactive, understanding and curious approach to Black women's maternity care throughout their pregnancy and beyond. The Motherhood Group provides training programmes, educational infographics, and commissioned reports to help understand how to support Black mothers more effectively - while understanding the nuances of Black motherhood.
Trusted & Safe
Black women do not have enough trusted safe spaces to share their challenges, highs, and lows, and to connect with other Black mothers.
The problem exists because there has been inadequate funding for Black-led community-based organisations that already engage directly with Black women and mothers.
Our role in the solution:
includes providing frequent, trusted community-based events, workshops, and programmes for Black mothers to feel safe enough to share any issues pertaining to motherhood, pregnancy, and wellbeing through funding from Impact on Urban Health.
Bridging The Gap
Black mothers have not had their voices amplified in research. Black mothers do not feel as though they have a say in how they access support, and are not decision-makers in their care across all systems.
The problem exists because there is a widely held assumption or perception Black mothers are a ‘hard to reach’ group, difficult to ‘engage with’, or have ‘no interest' in shaping services. Also, Black mothers are skeptical about how their information, data, and words will be used - there is a lack of trust that Black mothers still have.
Our role in the solution:
includes bridging the gap between the community, research, service providers, and systems. We have found an effective way of recruiting mothers, and providing a seamless way of including Black mothers in discussions that will impact our care, and improve outcomes for us all. Black mothers trust our services, and if we partner with organisations and services - this will be well received by our community.
