Equity & Access · Texas behavioral health news
Black Maternal Mental Health Week spotlights care gaps facing Black East Texas mothers - KLTV.com
Mental Health Equity (Google News) · July 23, 2026
In plain language
Black Maternal Mental Health Week highlights the unique challenges facing Black mothers in East Texas. While one in five new mothers experience mental health issues, this number climbs to nearly 40% for Black women. Mental health conditions are a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths, yet many women do not receive the care they need due to a lack of local specialists and cultural barriers. Programs in Smith and Cherokee counties are now working to bridge these gaps by connecting families with essential resources and support systems.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Nearly 40 percent of Black mothers experience a maternal mental health condition during or after pregnancy.
- Mental health conditions are the leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States.
- In Texas, 85 percent of maternal deaths occur between 43 days and one year after giving birth.
- Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
- Cultural expectations of strength and feeling unheard by medical providers often prevent Black mothers from seeking care.
Black Maternal Mental Health Week spotlights care gaps facing Black East Texas mothers KLTV.com
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