Mental Health and the Black Mom
A not so great statistic.
Black women are nearly twice as likely to be affected by a mental health condition following birth, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). About 40% of all Black women will be affected by a mental health disorder. However, about 1 in 5 of all women will be affected. The issue is not that black women need special treatment, the issue is we are frequently overlooked in the mental health space.
How can this affect you postpartum?
Historically, black women have always been underserved by the medical community. Of course, some medical professionals respect and care for black women. I have had the pleasure of being cared for and working with many great medical professionals. One in particular, my gynecologist, who recognized postpartum anxiety in me when I was too consumed by the outside world to recognize it in myself.
And again, what does this have to do with you postpartum?
If you do not pick your care team carefully, you may feel as though you are walking through postpartum alone and misunderstood. Postpartum is a hard time. It is a great and wonderful time, but it is also hard. Mentally it can cause women to care so deeply for their newborns that they become fearful of the outside world or overwhelmed by how difficult the changes brought on by postpartum can be.
What can you as a Black mom do about your mental health?
First, understand that mental health is just as important as physical health. Understanding that you are a whole person after having a baby can be difficult. A lot of us feel as though we give birth and are no longer the same person. Maybe even feel a little shame in our bodies changing and mentality changing. While your baby or future babies will be great, they deserve a mom who feels great. A huge part of that is recognizing your mental health as important as taking care of your baby.
Second, pick your team carefully. Your healthcare team is determined by you. Yes, insurance plays a role and so does your location. However, if there is any reason for you to change who is taking care of you, absolutely do it! This includes nurses, lactation professionals, your baby’s doctor, and anyone who has any intimate contact with you that involves your trust. You do not have to settle when it comes to your care.
Third, do research even before having a baby. Give your body and mind time to prepare. If you know that breastfeeding can be difficult, then you will be less likely to be disappointed in yourself if met with challenges. It is important for your mental health to be prepared for struggles that not everyone talks about or even expects you to feel.
Fourth, give yourself grace. The “strong black woman” is a stereotype that has been forced upon us in many aspects of life. If a black woman is in pain, it is more likely to be ignored. This means you appear stronger because you just stopped asking for help. You deserve help and you deserve to feel all the pain that everyone else does. Give yourself grace and be honest with how you feel. Having postpartum affect you mentally is not weak and it is not something you have to go through alone.
