You’re Not “Just Tired”—Let’s Talk About Postpartum Mental Health for Black and Brown Parents
When you’re a new parent, especially as a Black or Brown birthing person, everyone checks in on the baby—but who’s checking in on you?
If you're just joining us, this post on Black Maternal Health Week shares why these conversations are urgent and deeply personal.
The truth is, postpartum depression, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm are common—but they’re not always talked about, especially in our communities. And when they are brought up, they’re often dismissed, misdiagnosed, or wrapped in shame.
If you’re feeling like something is off, but you don’t quite have the words for it—you’re not alone. And you’re not making it up.
These patterns show up in postpartum too—this post on disparities breaks down how often care falls short for Black and Brown families after birth.
Why Postpartum Mental Health Gets Missed in Our Communities
There are so many reasons why Black and Brown parents struggle to get the mental health support they need after birth:
Stigma around mental health: “Be strong.” “Don’t air your business.”
Fear of judgment or being reported for saying something too “real”
Lack of culturally affirming providers who truly understand your experience
Generational trauma that makes it hard to feel safe being vulnerable
Gaslighting by healthcare providers who dismiss concerns as “normal motherhood”
This leads to so many of us staying quiet, pushing through, and suffering in silence.
This Is What Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Can Really Look Like
Forget the textbook version. For many parents of color, it shows up like this:
You feel like you're failing, even when you're doing your best
You cry in the shower, then dry off and put on a smile for everyone else
You can’t sleep—even when the baby’s sleeping
You’re irritable, numb, disconnected, or feeling like you're just going through the motions
You imagine worst-case scenarios and feel like you’re always on edge
You love your baby… but you’re struggling to love this season
Sound familiar? None of this makes you a bad parent. It makes you human.
You Don’t Have to Suffer in Silence
There is support. And it doesn’t have to be judgmental, clinical, or one-size-fits-all.
You deserve care that is:
Culturally responsive and trauma-informed
Non-judgmental and led with compassion
Centered on your experience, not just your symptoms
Safe enough for your whole truth—even the parts that feel heavy
Therapy can be a place where you lay it all down and hear someone say, “That makes sense. You’re not alone. And we can get through this.”
You Matter, Too
Everyone’s watching the baby. I’m watching you.
At Resilient Roots Counseling & Consulting, we support parents through the mess, the beauty, and everything in between. Whether you’re feeling anxious, disconnected, or just not like yourself, you don’t have to wait until everything falls apart to get help.
Let’s Talk About It
You don’t have to carry the emotional weight of postpartum alone.
Ready to take the first step? Click here to connect with us.
We’re here—and we see the whole you.
