Minding Mama: Protecting Mental Health Before Birth & Beyond
- Psychology of Black Womanhood
- Nov 2
- 1 min read
Exploring the importance of perinatal mental health supports
Pregnancy and the year following childbirth are deeply transformative periods in a woman’s life, involving intense emotional, physical, and psychological shifts. While maternal mental health is vital for all women, Black women in particular face unique mental health challenges that often go unaddressed—rooted in systemic disparities, racial bias in healthcare, and unequal access to support.
Prioritizing the mental health of Black mothers isn’t just about individual well-being—it’s a necessary act of equity and justice. Supporting Black women with comprehensive, culturally competent mental health care during pregnancy, postpartum, and the first year after birth is critical as it strengthens families, communities, and future generations. Unfortunately, we are less likely to receive a diagnosis or adequate care. And cultural stigma, mistrust of medical systems, and underrepresentation in healthcare further widen the gap in support and understanding.
This episode features Dr. Lyneia Richardson, a mama, healer, psychologist, educator, author, and maternal health advocate. Her work is rooted in decolonizing therapy and education through a Mothering Praxis that centers care and aims to uplift the voices of those who have historically been marginalized and silenced. She is currently a professor of counseling at McDaniel College and the owner of Melanated Women's Therapy, LLC, where she provides therapy and support to Black women and mothers, addressing issues at the intersection of race, gender, and mothering.Â
To learn more about Dr. Richardson, click here.
More Works by Dr. Richardson:
Season 2 Episode 24
Running Time: Â 23 minutes
