This presentation is centered on how punitive child welfare and substance use policies target Black/African American perinatal patients, perpetuate bias and stigma, and create a fear of seeking help for disorders like postpartum depression and substance abuse disorder (SUD). Student presenters will discuss examples of cases in which psychosocial factors such as systemic racism, mental health stigma, and fear of family separation impact mothers experiencing postpartum depression, particularly Black mothers. These cases illustrate how the punitive and discriminatory nature of the child welfare system leads Black mothers to “mask” their symptoms and avoid asking for help. Additionally, we will discuss a New England Journal of Medicine article titled, “Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorders — The Harm Associated with Punitive Approaches.” This article illuminates how punitive substance use laws in the perinatal field could disproportionately harm Black women, who are targeted for policy enforcement more often than White women due to implicit bias, experience significant maternal health disparities, and experience substantial overdose related harm. Registration will close on Friday, October 22nd and is required for the Zoom link to work directly. This event is open to MSW students, pharmacy students, other health-science students (including SPH students) who sign up.
Michigan MedicineIPE Social Justice Grand Rounds (Barriers to Mental and Behavioral Health for Perinatal Patients)
Grand Rounds program at Michigan Medicine that focuses on issues of social justice and health equity
October 27, 2021
9:30 am - 11:20 am
Online in Zoom
Sponsored by: Michigan Medicine
Contact Information: Gundy Sweet, PharmD (gsweet@umich.edu)
More Information & Registration
This presentation is centered on how punitive child welfare and substance use policies target Black/African American perinatal patients, perpetuate bias and stigma, and create a fear of seeking help for disorders like postpartum depression and substance abuse disorder (SUD). Student presenters will discuss examples of cases in which psychosocial factors such as systemic racism, mental health stigma, and fear of family separation impact mothers experiencing postpartum depression, particularly Black mothers. These cases illustrate how the punitive and discriminatory nature of the child welfare system leads Black mothers to “mask” their symptoms and avoid asking for help. Additionally, we will discuss a New England Journal of Medicine article titled, “Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorders — The Harm Associated with Punitive Approaches.” This article illuminates how punitive substance use laws in the perinatal field could disproportionately harm Black women, who are targeted for policy enforcement more often than White women due to implicit bias, experience significant maternal health disparities, and experience substantial overdose related harm. Registration will close on Friday, October 22nd and is required for the Zoom link to work directly. This event is open to MSW students, pharmacy students, other health-science students (including SPH students) who sign up.
