270: Black Maternal Mental Health with Keisha Reaves, LPC, PMH-C

Maternal mental health has a profound impact on individuals, couples, families, children, and our society as a whole. It’s important that every parent, regardless of race, color, or ethnicity, has access to resources and support when they need it most, and that just isn’t the case in our country. Today’s conversation focuses on maternal mental health in the Black community, and our perspective comes from a dedicated, mission-driven mental health provider who wants to make a difference in the lives of Black mothers. There is so much for us to learn and understand about this topic, so join us now for the conversation.  Keisha Reaves is the owner and clinical director of Push Thru Therapy. As a Georgia native, she has witnessed the stigma of mental health and has made it her mission to normalize therapy. With more than 16 years in the mental health profession, she is now a Certified Perinatal Mental Health provider serving birthing parents who are trying to conceive, have fertility issues, experience infant loss, are transitioning into parenthood, and those with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She has volunteered with Northside Hospital’s Infant Loss/ Bereavement Group and served for three years on the Postpartum Support International Georgia Chapter Board as the Training Coordinator, as well as currently volunteering as an educator to providers treating birthing parents in their practices. She is a facilitator for the Mocha Moms Group at the Atlanta Birth Center, and she facilitates a Black Moms group through Push Thru Therapy. In today’s episode, Keisha shares her personal story, along with giving us perspective on the factors that make Black maternal mental health and reproductive education so vitally important. She is intensely passionate about maternal mental health and strives to spread information, education, resources, and support to women of color.  Show Highlights: How Keisha’s journey brought her to the important work she does today How Keisha’s first pregnancy played out with many signs of postpartum depression and anxiety—and she didn’t realize it at the time How she experienced sleep deprivation, brain fog, feelings of isolation, and had no friends and family close by to help How Keisha felt shame and stigma around seeking therapy as a mental health clinician–and why she determined to help others through her work What Keisha sees as gaps in adequate support for Black women—and why so many people of color are afraid to ask for the help they need How Black mothers in the South experience societal and generational pressure to a greater degree because of the history of slavery Why antepartum anxiety is a big challenge for many mothers How Keisha’s second pregnancy was a different experience because she was proactive and had support in place How unique worries and concerns (and anxiety) show up for Black mothers in today’s world–and why Keisha focuses on helping Black mothers to “be present in the joy of motherhood” How a therapist who “looks like me” can be more helpful with sympathy and empathy What Keisha would like to see in our progress with maternal mental health What steps Keisha is taking now in her work to reach more people with education and information, both for mental health providers and mothers Resources: Connect with Keisha: Website, Push Thru Therapy Website, Instagram, Push Thru Mom Instagram Visit www.postpartum.net for resources and support!  Visit www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website, www.wellmindperinatal.com, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today!