Every year, Black Maternal Mental Health Week shines a light on one of the most urgent yet overlooked public health issues in America. This year’s observance, taking place July 19–25, is being hosted by The Shades of Blue Project, an organization dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of Black mothers and their families. This year’s BMMHW offers a full week of programming designed to educate, restore and connect communities. It will include storytelling experiences and virtual conversations that center the lived experiences of Black mothers, the launch of the inaugural National Rest, Repair and Resistance Day, a leadership retreat for advocates and changemakers, the annual Black Maternal Mental Health Summit, and a Family Fun Day that brings families and communities together in celebration and support. Together, these events represents a broader vision of Black maternal mental health; one that recognizes healing as both a personal and collective responsibility. Check out their calendar of events here.
The timing couldn’t be more important. While conversations about maternal health often focus on physical outcomes, mental health is just as critical. Black women continue to face higher rates of maternal mortality, postpartum depression, and barriers to culturally responsive mental health care. Yet many mothers still feel pressure to carry the weight of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting without acknowledging the emotional toll those experiences can take. Black Maternal Mental Health Week reminds us that caring for mothers means caring for their minds as well as their bodies.
What stands out about this year’s programming is its emphasis on rest, repair, and community. Those words represent a meaningful shift away from simply asking Black women to be resilient. Instead, The Shades of Blue Project is creating spaces where mothers can share their stories, build supportive relationships, and access resources that affirm their experiences. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when women feel seen, heard, believed, and supported by people who understand the unique challenges they face.
Black Maternal Mental Health Week reminds us that supporting mothers is about more than raising awareness. It’s about building communities where women don’t have to choose between being strong and being supported. The healthiest families begin with mothers who know that their well-being matters, too.
