229: Shades of Blue Project and Black Maternal Mental Health Week

Today’s show is another story of a spectacular someone who turned their personal grief into a mission to help others. Our focus is on the disparity of medical treatment and care in the Black community regarding maternal mental health, infant loss, and more. Join us for this inspiring story from today’s guest!

Kay Matthews is here to share her long-term work through the Shades of Blue Project. She and her team are on a mission to uplift all birthing individuals with the care, respect, and dignity they deserve—no matter their social status or birth outcome. Their focus is on the birthing experience, and they bridge gaps by acknowledging that everyone’s birth story matters. Through education, advocacy, and support, they are dedicated to helping birthing individuals of color whose lives are impacted by racial disparities that amplify their birthing struggles. It is from her personal experience of infant loss and postpartum depression that Kay recognized a critical diversity gap in mental health resources and emotional support for Black and minority birthing individuals. Kay has founded Black Maternal Mental Health Week, which in 2022 falls on July 18-25 with the theme “Collective Efforts for Greater Community Impact and Change.” You can learn more by visiting their Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

Show Highlights:

How Kay came into the work she does today through a totally unexpected journey

How Kay’s infant loss experience gave her a “big-picture view” 

How Kay’s infant loss and postpartum depression were dismissed by healthcare professionals

Why Kay decided to “go it alone” to help herself and share helpful advice with others in similar situations

How Kay used her journaling practice as a springboard to begin the Shades of Blue Project to help others

How the Shades of Blue Project has taken steps to influence policy in Texas and open resource centers in 23 other states

Why Kay’s journal became the INSPIRE journal, an acronym for Involve others, Nourishment/exercise, Spirituality/prayer, Patience, Identify and initiate change, Rest/relaxation, and Each day is a new day

How Kay has seen growth in awareness and resources for people going through similar struggles with infant loss and maternal mental health

Why Kay wanted to focus more on her experience rather than her outcome

How mortality and morbidity rates in the Black community require that maternal health and mental health be acknowledged together

Highlights of Black Maternal Mental Health Week activities

How responsibility and accountability come into play in a collective effort to help others in the Shades of Blue Project

How you can help

Resources:

You can connect with Kay and learn more about the Shades of Blue Project by visiting their  Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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