Black Maternal Health Week

Supporting Black Women Through Perinatal and Postpartum Care

Written by: Michelle Tillman-Cureton, LCMHC, PsychoTherapist

Becoming a mother is one of the most profound transitions in a woman’s life. For Black women, this journey can come with unique stressors that are too often dismissed or minimized—by the healthcare system, by society, and even within our own families. As a therapist who walks with Black women through their healing journeys, I see the emotional weight many carry during pregnancy and postpartum. You are not alone. You deserve care that honors your whole self.

The Mental Health Crisis in Maternal Care:

• Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to the CDC.

• We are twice as likely to experience postpartum depression but far less likely to receive treatment.

• Social stigma, mistrust in healthcare, and lack of culturally competent support systems make it harder to seek and receive the care we need.

  
  

Signs You May Need Support (During or After Pregnancy):

• Feeling disconnected from yourself or your baby

• Ongoing sadness, rage, or irritability

• Intrusive thoughts or constant worry

• Changes in sleep or appetite not related to baby care

• Feeling overwhelmed, unseen, or unsupported

These feelings are common—but they are not something you have to “push through” alone.

What Support Can Look Like:

• A therapist who understands the intersection of culture, trauma, and motherhood

• A doula or birth team who affirms your voice and choices

• Support groups like those offered by Postpartum Support International (PSI): www.postpartum.net

PSI offers free online support groups, including groups specifically for Black moms.

How Therapy Can Help:

Therapy can create space to process fears, grief, joy, and everything in between. It’s a place where you don’t have to perform or pretend. Whether you’re trying to conceive, preparing for birth, or navigating postpartum, you deserve mental health support that honors your story.

You deserve care that sees you.

If you’re a Black woman in the perinatal or postpartum stage, know this: Your emotional wellness matters. Let’s normalize reaching out for help—not just when things fall apart, but to keep things together.