What is Black Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week #BMMHW20?

The UK’s first annual awareness week highlighting black women’s maternal mental health.

When is Black Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week?

Monday 28th September – Sunday 4th October.

Who is it organised by?

The week will be coordinated by Maternal Mental Health Alliance member, The Motherhood Group.

All proceeds raised will go to the Black Mum Support Fund.

Black Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week activities

During the course of the week, The Motherhood Group plan to share a series of videos, articles, host discussions over Zoom and social media:

Monday: Why do we need a black maternal mental health week?

Video discussion featuring:

• • • Sandra Igwe – Founder of The Motherhood Group, mother of two with lived experience
    • Shomi Williams – Psychological well-being therapist and black mental health activist
    • Kemi Akinwunmi – Registered midwife, specialist in community public health nursing and mother
    • Fiona Small – Founder of Young Mums Support Network, mother of two.

Tuesday: Self-love – what does it look like?

Video: Self-Care tips for black mothers to boost their maternal mental health by Nehanda Truscott-Reid, Wellness Coach for mothers, and mother of two.

Wednesday: Speaking out – sharing our stories and amplifying our voices.

• • • Video: Black mothers from The Motherhood Group speaking about their experience.
    • Article: ‘My Truth’, a blog from a black mother speaking about her maternal mental health challenges.
    • Open Zoom discussion

Thursday: Good support – offering guidance and signposting

Written guidance for mums by MMHA member Perinatal Mental Health Partnership.

Friday: Strong Black Woman Myth & Cultural Factors

• • • Video: Mars Lord, Birth Activist and Award-Winning Doula
    • Video: Black mums ‘don’t like to talk about depression’.

Saturday: Creating Safe spaces – Black Mum Fest 2020

The UK’s first festival dedicated to the black motherhood experience, including panel discussions, workshops and break-out sessions.

Location: Bellavita Academy, 3:30pm – 8:30pm (registration closed)

Sunday: Self-reflection – what can we do better to improve BMMH

Video by Dr Jessica Fletcher-Rogers, Specialist Registrar Doctor in Adult Mental Health, special interest in perinatal mental health in the black community.

Get involved

Follow The Motherhood Group on Instagram and Twitter. You can also sign up to their newsletter for updates.

Use #BMMHW20 when sharing or amplifying the voices of black mothers.

Donate to the ‘Black Mum Support Fund‘.