Championing Black Maternal Health: Breaking Barriers in Mental Health and Prenatal Care

By Veranda Rodgers, MBA, President & CEO | Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center and Bloom Behavioral Health

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Black Maternal Health Week is recognized each year from April 11-17th. This is an important week to celebrate and bring attention to because according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are at least three times more likely to die due to pregnancy-related causes than White women. While infant mortality has gradually decreased overall over the past decade, the rate is still 164% higher for Black babies in Ohio than for White babies. Lack of access and poor quality of care for pregnant Black women are leadings factors, but research has also shown that bias and stereotyping of people of color can impact their health. Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center would like to thank Representative Juanita Brent for introducing House Bill 190, Designating Black Maternal Health Week, along with co-sponsor Andrea White, for bringing attention to a maternal health crisis happening here in Ohio.

In 2024, Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center (PPRC) served nearly 300 families with their services and additionally supported nearly 500 families with support of diapers, wipes, and formula. Of those served, 80% reached full term in their pregnancies. PPRC’s clientele is 89% Black and primarily resides in Maple Heights, Garfield, Cleveland-Kinsman Area, Central - Midtown, and Hough. With 74.7% of their clients noting their top barrier to attending prenatal care visits being transportation, PPRC provided 564 rides to appointments through Lyft or bus passes. In addition to transportation issues, mental health is a huge barrier that needs to be addressed.

Maternal health conversations must include mental health during the perinatal period, pregnancy to the first year postpartum, as a transitional period that can result in anxiety and stress for many women. During the postpartum period, about 85% of women experience some type of mood disturbance. For most, the symptoms are mild and short-lived; however, 10-15% of women develop more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety. Death by suicide is a leading cause of maternal mortality and accounts for about 20% of postpartum deaths. Between 2006-2017, suicidality nearly tripled among childbearing people. PPRC has developed a new initiative called Bloom, that works to address these mental health needs.

Bloom addresses the critical need for mental health support within the community by eliminating barriers to quality mental health services during the perinatal period. The need for this comprehensive support emerged through PPRC’s evaluation metrics, which identified significant gaps in mental health care during pregnancy and postpartum. As awareness of maternal mental health issues grows and stigma decreases, the demand for specialized behavioral health services continues to rise, particularly in Cuyahoga County. Bloom uses four pillars to provide care:

The Four-Pillar Approach to Care

1. Behavioral Health Services for Perinatal Individuals, Their Support Persons, and Children

   • Case management services

   • Therapeutic one-on-one counseling services for individuals and families

   • Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment

   • Mental Health Assessments

   • Crisis Intervention
     

2. Group-Based Models of Care for Perinatal Clients

   • The HOPE (Healthy Outlook on Postpartum Experience) program falls under this initiative, providing five group-based postpartum sessions focused on emotional well-being, cultural identity, and mental health education.

     
     

3. Group-Based Care for Community Practitioners

   • The THRIVE program supports Community Health Workers (CHWs) through a five-week group-based mental health program designed to equip them with self-awareness, resilience, and well-being strategies.

   • Sessions include topics on trauma, empathy, boundaries, and sustainable self-care practices.

     
     

4. Wellness Center

   • Offers alternative therapies such as Halotherapy, Light Therapy, Frequencies, and Aroma Therapy to promote holistic well-being for perinatal individuals and community practitioners.

Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center is working with the State and Federal government to ensure quality care will be provided to patients. Working with Representatives like Juanita Brent and Darnell Brewer has been crucial in increasing awareness of Black Maternal Health.

Professor Veranda Rodgers, MBA is a dynamic and accomplished individual who has made significant contributions in the fields of infant & maternal health, education, and philanthropy. As the founder and president & CEO of Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center and Bloom Behavioral Health, Veranda has dedicated herself to supporting and empowering youth and perinatal individuals.

Veranda's passion for education extends beyond advocating for the health and well-being of women and children. She serves as an adjunct professor at Cuyahoga Community College, where she shares her experience, business and marketing practices with students while inspiring them to reach their full potential. Her commitment to education and her ability to connect with students earned her the admiration and respect of both her colleagues and students alike.

In addition to her work in education, Veranda is deeply involved in philanthropy and community service. She serves as the marketing chair of the Black Professional Association Charitable Foundation facilitating a professional development pipeline for students, aspiring professionals, and civic leaders in Northeast Ohio. She also serves as a board trustee of the Cleveland State University Alumni Association, where she works tirelessly to connect alumni, foster a sense of community, and advocate for the needs and aspirations of the university's graduates.

Veranda's exemplary work and commitment to her community have not gone unnoticed. She was recently honored with the 2023 Community Hero Award from the Cuyahoga Democratic Women's Caucus. Her outstanding contributions to the betterment of the community also earned her the prestigious recognition from the Soul of Philanthropy as the 2022 outstanding young adult philanthropist of the year.

Veranda credits her life’s journey of a teen mom turned CEO for the fortitude to face any challenge that comes her way. Her drive, compassion, and commitment to making a difference fuels her inspiration to motivate others to become the best version of themselves. Her leadership and dedication serve as a shining example for her staff, future generations, and the individuals she serves.