From the Founder: Why I Created The Mama Wellness Foundation
Tameka Christmas is the founder of The Mama Wellness Foundation and MPH Graduate Student at Baylor University studying community and maternal health.
Photo capture by JASMINE J. CREATIVE AGENCY
When I founded The Mama Wellness Foundation, it wasn’t just a professional endeavor—it was personal. As a Black mother who has navigated the challenges of postpartum recovery firsthand, I saw the gaps in maternal healthcare. Too often, our struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety are dismissed, our pain minimized, and our need for culturally competent care ignored. I knew something had to change.
My Story: A Wake-Up Call
Like so many Black mothers, I entered motherhood with the expectation that I could handle whatever came my way. I had always been a strong, capable woman. But motherhood broke me open in ways I never expected. The exhaustion, the emotional highs and lows, the feeling of being needed by my baby while feeling completely invisible to the world—it all hit me harder than I could have imagined.
I didn’t recognize myself anymore. I wasn’t just tired; I was drained. I wasn’t just emotional; I was numb. The joy I had expected to feel in those early months was overshadowed by anxiety, sadness, and an overwhelming sense of failure. Yet, when I tried to speak about what I was going through, the responses were dismissive:
“That’s just how motherhood is.”
“You’ll be fine, just get some rest.”
“Black women have been doing this forever—you got this.”
But I didn’t “got this.” I needed help. The more I tried to express what I was feeling, the more I realized that there was no space for Black mothers to be vulnerable within their intimate community about their postpartum struggles.
“Therapy saved my life—despite the shame I felt for needing it when I was told others had endured the mental challenges of motherhood and single motherhood without help, it gave me the space to process my trauma, rebuild my support system, and ultimately create The Mama Wellness Foundation so other mothers wouldn’t have to suffer in silence.”
The Gap in Postpartum Mental Health Care
Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common yet overlooked health conditions affecting new mothers, with one in eight women experiencing it. However, Black mothers are disproportionately impacted, experiencing higher rates of PPD while simultaneously facing more barriers to care. Studies show that Black women are twice as likely as white women to suffer from postpartum depression but far less likely to receive treatment.
Why? Because the healthcare system, cultural expectations, and financial constraints often make it difficult—if not impossible—for Black mothers to get the help they need. The disparities are not just unfortunate; they are systemic and deeply ingrained in policies, medical practices, and societal norms that have historically neglected Black maternal health.
The lack of access to postpartum mental health care for Black mothers is not a matter of personal choice—it is a failure of the system.
1. Healthcare Inequities & Lack of Access: Black women are more likely to be uninsured or on Medicaid, which limits access to therapy due to provider shortages, long wait times, and restrictive coverage. Additionally, there is a shortage of Black therapists and culturally competent providers, making it difficult for Black mothers to find care that reflects their lived experiences.
2. Financial Barriers: Private therapy is expensive, ranging from $100 to $250 per session, making it unaffordable for many Black mothers, especially those without insurance. Many also lack paid maternity leave, forcing them to return to work early, leaving little time for therapy or self-care. The high cost of childcare adds another hurdle, as many mothers cannot attend sessions without someone to watch their baby.
3. Dismissal & Racial Bias in Medical Settings: Many Black mothers report that their postpartum symptoms—both physical and emotional—are not taken seriously by healthcare providers. Their pain is often dismissed as typical new-mom exhaustion, delaying critical treatment. When care is provided, it tends to be medication-heavy rather than holistic, with little consideration for therapy or other supportive interventions.
4. Cultural Stigma Around Mental Health: Black mothers are often expected to embody the “Strong Black Woman” stereotype, leading to internalized pressure to suffer in silence. Therapy is sometimes viewed as a privilege or unnecessary, discouraging many from seeking help. Additionally, mental health discussions remain taboo in some Black communities, making it harder for mothers to recognize and address postpartum depression.
The Cultural Aspect: The ‘Strong Black Woman’ Narrative
There is a deeply ingrained expectation that Black women must be strong, self-sufficient, and unshakable—a legacy rooted in survival, but one that often comes at the cost of our mental health. From an early age, Black women are taught to be caretakers, problem-solvers, and the backbone of their families. We are praised for our ability to persevere, even in the face of adversity. But when that expectation extends into motherhood, it creates a dangerous silence around postpartum struggles.
For Black mothers, the pressure to “bounce back” after birth is not just about physical recovery—it’s about proving we can handle it all. Many of us return to work sooner than we should, hesitate to ask for help, and ignore our own emotional needs to care for others. But this pressure isolates us, making it harder to acknowledge when we’re struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety. Instead of receiving validation, we often hear:
“Black women have been having babies for centuries—you got this.”
“Don’t let people see you struggling.”
“Just pray about it and keep going.”
While resilience is powerful, it should not come at the expense of our well-being. The truth is, no mother—regardless of race—should be expected to navigate the postpartum period alone.
In many cultures, postpartum recovery is treated as a sacred period of healing. Families and communities step in to nurture the new mother with structured postpartum care, ensuring she has time to rest, recover, and bond with her baby.
For example:
In some Asian cultures, new mothers observe “sitting the month” (zuo yuezi), during which they receive nutrient-rich foods, massages, and dedicated care from family members.
In Latinx communities, the tradition of cuarentena emphasizes rest, healing, and emotional support for 40 days after birth, with relatives taking over household duties.
In many African traditions, postpartum care involves women in the community surrounding the new mother, assisting with childcare, cooking, and ensuring she is not overwhelmed.
But in the U.S., particularly for Black mothers, much of this postpartum support is missing. Many of us:
Live far from family or lack a close support network.
Do not have access to doulas, midwives, or culturally competent therapists who understand our unique needs.
Lack maternal leave that forces us back to work way before we even recover.
Without this built-in support, Black mothers are left to figure out postpartum recovery on their own, which only worsens feelings of exhaustion, overwhelm, and isolation.
Why The Mama Wellness Foundation?
I started The Mama Wellness Foundation (TMWF) because I saw firsthand how the healthcare system and society fail Black mothers in their most vulnerable moments. Too often, postpartum mental health is treated as an afterthought, and when Black mothers do seek help, they are met with barriers—whether it’s financial, cultural stigma, or medical dismissal. I knew that something had to change, and that change had to be led by someone who understood the struggles Black mothers face daily. TMWF was created to fill these gaps—to provide Black mothers with accessible, culturally relevant, and judgment-free postpartum mental health care. Our mission is simple but critical: no Black mother should have to suffer in silence, and every mother should have access to the support she needs to heal—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
We are breaking the cycle of isolation by offering therapy, postpartum education, community support, and essential resources that center the well-being of Black mothers. At The Mama Wellness Foundation, we believe that Black mothers deserve to be seen, heard, and cared for—without stigma, without barriers, and without the expectation of carrying everything alone. We are here to shift the narrative, to create a world where Black mothers receive the care they deserve, and to remind every mother that she is not alone—her healing matters, and her wellness is worth fighting for.