F2 - Community Wisdom for the Journey to Parenthood: Intersectional Tools for Increasing Access to Perinatal Mental Health Care
Monday, April 15, 2024
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM PT
Location: Grand Ballroom DE
Perinatal mental health challenges are the leading complication of pregnancy and childbirth. Most perinatal mental health conditions are temporary and treatable, yet more than 75% of birthing people who experience symptoms go unaddressed, which can have a long-term negative impact on the baby and the family unit. In response, Maternal Mental Health NOW has expanded efforts to decolonize the perinatal mental health system by involving the local community in the identification and sharing of holistic resources. This workshop highlights perinatal mental health resources identified by community members in Los Angeles County – the largest and one of the most diverse geographic areas in the country. Both the theoretical framework and practical applications shared in this presentation are grounded in an intersectional lens that emphasizes a diversity of lived experiences within the perinatal community. Community Wisdom for the Journey to Parenthood: Intersectional Tools for Increasing Access to Perinatal Mental Health Care will address intersectional perinatal mental health care that prioritizes accessible and inclusive community resources, highlighting approaches that bridge community-level resources with Los Angeles County’s birthing population.