Description

Pregnancy is a time of excitement, joy, and anticipation for many women. For others, perinatal mental health struggles bring overwhelming sadness, shame, and fear that can begin at conception and continue after birth. This aspect of pregnancy creates a significant public health problem and disproportionately affects Black women. Research suggests that widely used counselor screening tools may not be effective with Black women. Left untreated, the effects on the woman and the child can be far-reaching for the family and the child’s bio-psychosocial development. This workshop looks at the prevalence of perinatal depression in African American women, cultural manifestations and risk factors, and culturally responsive treatment recommendations. This workshop is approved for 3 CORE hours.