Perinatal Mental Health Training

About the Training

The Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) Community Responders Training is a comprehensive, culturally grounded professional development experience designed to equip community members with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to recognize and respond to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) in Black communities.

Made possible through a generous grant from Perigee Fund, all participants will attend at no cost — removing financial barriers and ensuring this life-saving training reaches those who need it most.

Mission & Purpose

Black birthing parents are nearly twice as likely as their white peers to experience a PMAD — and half as likely to receive treatment. Rooted in healing-informed and culturally affirming principles, this training prepares community responders to fill the gap between clinical services and the lived realities of Black families.

Training Dates and Times

• Jul 16, 2026 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM — SOLD OUT
• Aug 6, 2026 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM —- SOLD OUT

Key Topics Covered

• Matrescence: the physiological and psychological transition to parenthood
• Overview of all PMADs, including postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and psychosis
• Racial disparities in perinatal mental health — data, causes, and community impact
• The Superwoman Schema and cultural expressions of distress in Black women
• Weathering, chronic stress, and the health effects of racism
• Healing-informed and trauma-informed care principles
• Culturally affirming communication and support strategies
• De-escalation and crisis intervention techniques
• Self-care for providers: managing secondary trauma and compassion fatigue
• Community advocacy, policy literacy, and navigating parental rights

Certification & Continuing Education

Participants who complete all five modules will receive a Certificate of Completion as a Perinatal Mental Health Community Responder. Continuing education credit applications are currently in progress, and updates will be communicated as soon as they are available.

Nursing Accreditation
This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the American Public Health Association’s Public Health Nursing Section Approver Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Medicine (CME) Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Mamatoto Village. The APHA is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Designation Statement: The APHA designates this (insert type of activity-live, enduring, web) educational activity for a maximum of 4.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit (s)™.

Health Education (CHES) Statement
Sponsored by the American Public Health Association (APHA), a designated approver of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) to receive up to 4.25 total Category I contact education contact hours.

Approved by MEAC for 4.25 hours of continuing education under approval number M2526-105-0716, through July 16, 2028.

Disclosure statement

During the past 24 months, the following planning committee members, moderators, and speakers have no financial relationship with an ineligible company that might potentially be bias or impact the content of the educational activity/session. 

Names of the planners/moderators/speakers: Aza Nedhari, Nikia Grayson, Amr Madkhour, Nia Kilimanjaro, Dara Ogunsakin