culturally responsive maternal mental health
Our Mission
The Black Girls Mental Health Foundation (The Foundation) is an integral part of our broader mission at the Black Girls Mental Health Collective (The Collective) to enhance the well-being of Black Women, Black Birthing People, and their families in California. While our offices are centrally located in Oakland, California and Los Angeles, California, we proudly serve neighboring communities such as Richmond, Antioch, Emeryville, Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Compton, & Inglewood. At The Foundation, we focus on systemic change through conducting advanced research and comprehensive evaluation; and through offerings of therapy vouchers for low income Black women who have limited or no access to maternal mental health services and by providing scholarships for perinatal mental health trainings for medical providers and birth workers. Our efforts will allow us, our community partners, and our scholarship recipients to directly supporting Black women during the perinatal period and beyond.
Our Services
Black women face high rates of pregnancy related deaths that stem from discriminatory and oppressive medical systems, lack of support and advocacy in the prenatal and perinatal processes, and need for maternal mental health support and services. The Foundation’s aim is to improve Black maternal health outcomes by providing support to address mental health needs among limited resourced and low income Black women and increasing access to perinatal mental health training for medical providers and birth workers. To achieve the aim of improving maternal mental health outcomes among Black women, The Foundation offers two distinct services:
Funding: To increase access to maternal mental health services and support, The Foundation seeks to fund therapy vouchers for low income Black women who have limited or no access to maternal mental health services. These vouchers will allow women to seek therapy for a full year without worrying about burden of cost or limited amount of sessions. In addition to this, The Foundation offers perinatal mental health training scholarships for medical providers and birth workers to increase culturally appropriate maternal mental health supports, and to promote maternal mental health awareness and linkage to care efforts.
Research & Evaluation: To understand and improve Black maternal mental health outcomes, we leverage research to address the unique challenges faced by Black mothers. Our work informs policies and practices, ensuring they are effective and culturally sensitive.
The Foundation + The Collective
As a branch of the Black Girls Mental Health Collective, The Foundation enhances The Collective's ability to provide direct client care. The Collective offers individual therapy, support groups and training specifically tailored for Black women in the perinatal period. Through funding secured by The Foundation, The Collective is able to increase our efforts and reach when working to improve Black maternal health outcomes.
Donate Today
Your donation fuels our mission to expand mental health care access for Black women, provide culturally responsive mental health services, and build strong advocacy for reproductive justice and social equity. BGMHCF programs focus on maternal mental health, reproductive health, and community empowerment, working to address the unique challenges faced by our community.
We are also collaborating with partners and allies to create safe spaces for maternal mental health services and training.
Make your tax-deductible donation today to help us continue this critical work, ensuring that Black women have access to safe, affordable, and comprehensive mental health services, no matter their background or financial situation.