Episode 28: The Truth About Black Maternal Mental Health and Balancing parenthood with Self-Care w/ Dr. Sayida Peprah & Yhanni James

Nov 6

August 28, 2021

Show Notes

“Pregnancy is a physiological process as much as it is a psychological, hormonal, and emotional process” - Dr. Sayida

“I had no idea how it would affect my mental health, there was no thinking around that” - Yhanni James

This week, we are focusing on maternal mental health. Jayde first sits down with Dr. Sayida Peprah, maternal mental health advocate, licensed clinical psychologist and birth doula with specialty in multicultural psychology, trauma, suicide prevention and maternal mental health . Dr. Sayida provides a holistic lens on what it looks like at the intersections of mental health, motherhood, and existing as a Black woman. She also dives into the history of midwifery and doulaship, mental health care for expecting mothers, and the experiences of Black mothers who are dealing with mental health and pregnancy in the American medical system.

Yhanni James then shares her story that brings to life some of the realities brought up by Dr. Sayida Peprah. Yhanni tells us about her struggle with mental health through pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. She paints a picture of how the mental health and individual identity of a mother can be suppressed due to societal expectations placed on mothers. Yhanni states the importance of reframing the narrative so that mothers can get the care they need and continue to be their own person–emphasizing the message that the health of a mother is the health of her children.