The Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color was founded in February 2017 by Divya B. Kumar, LCSW, ScM, CLC, Jabina Coleman, LSW, IBCLC, and Desirée Israel, LCSW-C. The PMHA-POC is bridging the gap in perinatal mental health support services for birthing persons, providers, and communities of color.
In 2022 the PMHA-POC became a fully funded program within Postpartum Support International to expand its reach in bridging the gap in perinatal support services for providers and communities of color.
La Alianza en Español
The Alliance is continuing to bridge the gap in perinatal mental health support services by expanding its reach to the LatinX and Spanish-speaking community with our Alliance Spanish & Cultural Program.
Meet the Team
Meet the members of The Alliance team who are dedicated to the global expansion of perinatal mental health education, support, programming, and resources to providers and communities of color.
Andrea Clark Horton, Director PMHA-POC
Xochitl Carlos Mendez, Alliance Spanish Cultural Programs Manager
Patience Riley, Communications Manager
Alejandra Zorrilla, Communications Strategist
Daniela MarÃa Piñate Arevalo, Communications Associate
Coloring the Conversation
Tune into our monthly live web series, Coloring the Conversation on Perinatal Mental Health where Alliance Director Andrea Clark-Horton sits down with providers and Alliance members to discuss topics about loss, faith, professional development, care teams, grief, etc. within the perinatal mental health space. Watch past episodes by visiting our YouTube channel or visiting our Facebook page.
Tejiendo Encuentros
We invite you to tune into Tejiendo Encuentros, our live web series in Spanish hosted by Xochitl Carlos-Mendez, our Alliance Spanish Cultural Programs Manager. During these conversations, Xochitl and her guests will discuss various perinatal topics related to our Spanish-speaking and Latin American community. Watch past episodes by visiting our YouTube channel or La Alianza Facebook page.
Become a Member
We want to increase the number of providers of color within the perinatal mental health space. Whether you are in training, transitioning, or a veteran provider within the perinatal mental health field there is a place for you within The Alliance community. Your membership in The Alliance is included in your PSI membership. Join us today!
Membership benefits
Email us at alliance@postpartum.net to receive more information about scholarships.
Newsletter
If you are interested in The Alliance but are not sure if you want to become a member yet, stay updated by joining our email list.Â
Online Support Groups
Peer to Peer support is an invaluable part of recovery. PSI offers over 20 free virtual support groups to our help seekers. Among these are specialized groups in English and Spanish for BIPOC help seekers. Learn more about our English-speaking and Spanish-speaking groups at the links below.
Get Help
Birthing persons of color have a higher maternal mortality rate than their white counterparts. Some factors contributing to higher maternal mortality rates and perinatal mood disorders are systemic racism, unemployment, exposure to violence, gaps in medical insurance, lack of access to high-quality medical and mental health care, lack of representation in the medical system, and higher risk of pregnancy and childbirth complications.Â
The Alliance is a community of dedicated providers of color who have experience working with perinatal mood disorders. To get connected to a provider of color please visit our online directory. Â Â Â
Support Us
We operate under limited resources, and welcome your donation to assist us with our mission of increasing the capacity of perinatal professionals of color to better support individuals, families, and communities of color around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.Â
If you are interested in representing The Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color while supporting our scholarships we invite you to shop with us at our online store.
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