The BIRTH Network

Health care access

Central LA East LA South LA San Gabriel Valley Long Beach

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Black women face a maternal mental health crisis fueled by systemic racism, medical bias, and a lack of culturally responsive care. Up to 44% of Black women experience postpartum depression, yet they are half as likely to be screened or treated (Black Perinatal Mental Health, 2022). In our 2025 Community Needs Assessment, 89% reported emotional distress, 70% needed postpartum support, and 91% preferred a Black provider—yet most couldn’t find one (BGMHF, 2025 - https://www.bgmhfoundation.org/2025communityneedsassessment). Racial concordance improves trust and outcomes, but Black mental health providers remain vastly underrepresented (It’s Important to Work with People Like Me, 2022). Without affirming care, many suffer in silence—leading to undiagnosed PMADs, long-term trauma, and preventable deaths. The stakes are life and death, and the time to act is now.

The BIRTH Network (https://www.bgmhfoundation.org/birthnetwork) is a culturally affirming maternal mental health initiative addressing the urgent mental health needs of Black birthing individuals in Los Angeles. With support from LA2050, we will expand our therapy voucher program to provide 12 weeks of free, trauma-informed mental health care for at least 25 uninsured or underinsured Black birthing clients. Each client will receive care from a racially concordant, perinatal-trained clinician. To build long-term system capacity, we will also train 37 LA-based Black birthworkers in perinatal mental health screening and PMAD referral practices using our culturally grounded curriculum. These providers will be equipped to identify signs of distress, offer emotional support, and connect clients to appropriate care.
Additionally, our Perinatal Support Specialists will provide personalized care navigation and referrals to Black doulas and lactation consultants through our established BIRTH Network. This holistic model—therapy, education, and connection—directly addresses the racial mismatch, cost barriers, and cultural gaps that too often leave Black families unsupported. Our solution is built by and for Black women, rooted in lived experience, and backed by data and trust.

If successful, The BIRTH Network will demonstrate how culturally affirming, trauma-informed care can close maternal mental health gaps for Black birthing people in LA. In one year, at least 25 families will receive free therapy, 37 Black birthworkers will be trained in PMAD screening and referrals, and dozens more will be connected to trusted support through our care navigation team. In the long term, this work will grow a pipeline of racially aligned providers and create a replicable model for community-rooted care. As we expand partnerships and formalize referral systems, we aim to make culturally competent mental health care the norm—not the exception. Our vision is a Los Angeles where every Black birthing person receives the care they need to thrive—emotionally, physically, and culturally.