🪴Seeds of Hope: AZ Perinatal Mental Health
Celebrating big, breaking records and building more community
As we wrap up Black Maternal Health Week for 2024, we renew our commitment to do our part advancing the human right to safe and respectful maternal health care.
If this is near and dear to your heart too, please keep reading. :)
🏜️ Honoring Black Maternal Health Week with AZBOC
Each year from April 11th - 17th, the Black Mamas Matter Alliance hosts a week-long campaign to build awareness, activism, and community-building to amplify the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people.
In support of this national campaign, Arizona Birthworkers of Color (AZBOC) created a social media toolkit for individuals and partner organizations in the community. Thank you to both organizations for offering this toolkit and allowing us to amplify the campaign!
🪩 Looking for a Good Time? Volunteers Needed
Arizona Birthworkers of Color and PSI-AZ are once again pioneering the path to equitable and accessible perinatal mental health care with our second-ever BIPOC-Only Perinatal Mental Health Trainings in Phoenix, AZ, from April 24-26, 2024.
With strong community participation from our #PSInColor Champions, scholarship application, and travel expense reimbursements, we welcome 140 participants from 17 states and 8 Arizona counties.
This is more than just a training; it’s a movement towards creating a future where every family receives the care they need, informed by cultural congruency and compassion. 🌈
We still need volunteers to help with the set-up and break-down of our training space! If you’re available to help out, we can promise a good time!
🏆 BREAKING RECORDS: 12 New AZ “PMH-C” Providers
Please help us welcome our newest Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) specialists across five Arizona counties! We’ve achieved 27% workforce capacity as a state and we’re committed to transforming our Perinatal Mental Health workforce desert into a thriving oasis of informed, equitable and accessible providers!
Our 1st PMH-C in Santa Cruz County: Melissa Gummo, BA, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMH-C
Our 3rd PMH-C inYuma County : Danielle Klett LCSW PMH-C
Two more in Cochise County: Paula Bird, LCSW PMH-C and Rebecca Lamas FNP-C PMH-C (that makes three!)
Two more in Pima County: Heidy Willmes, LMSW, PMH-C and Leandra Treusch Fifer LPC-S, PMHC, MS, MA
Six more in Maricopa County: Colleen Bartruff, LAC, PMH-C; Missy Bordenkircher, LAC, PMH-C; Nicole Valdez LCSW PMH-C; Ayesha Davenport LPC PMH-C; Erin Regan, LMSW, PMH-C; Ginka Conrey LCSW PMH-C.
Congratulations! 🏆
Interested in learning more about getting your PMH-C? We’re here to help!
Video by Maria Garcia/Cronkite News: featuring: Ms. Carolyn Larson (PSI-AZ Volunteer), Dr. Leigh Lewis (PSI-AZ Board Member) and Dr. Saira Kalia (PSI Trainer and AZ Perinatal Access Line Lead)
💊 Perinatal Depression Medication Breakthrough!
Medical studies reveal that after giving birth, one in five women in the United States report experiencing postpartum depression. Recently, the FDA approved a new pill to treat this condition. However, the high cost of medicine makes it challenging to access.
🎓 Scholarships Abound: 214 Awarded! 😲
We’ve awarded over 200+ scholarships so far this year and… we still have more training and exam scholarships available! Act now as they’re going fast!
We continue to prioritize:
Providers of Color
Providers serving rural counties - especially those in Apache, Coconino, Graham, Greenlee, LaPaz, Navajo, and Santa Cruz counties.
Providers who accept AHCCCS
Huge amounts of gratitude to BCBS of AZ Foundation and Arizona Department of Health Services for your support!
Next scholarship application deadline is May 18 @ midnight AZ time.
Click to watch the recap video on our Instagram account!
🗣️ Mental Health Advocacy Day @ the Capitol
PSI-AZ and 18+ other Arizona Mental Health focused organizations convened a powerful advocacy day focused on educating legislators and energizing a community of advocates passionate about driving essential mental health related policy changes.
We are so grateful for our volunteers, specifically speakers Dr. Olymphia O’Neale-White and Danielle Lerner along with participants Kira H., Marie B. C., AJ B., and Heather G. We had a number of volunteers there in spirit too: Cara E., Tiffany H., Lindsey B. Extra special thanks to our event leader - Kristina Sabetta from NAMI Valley of the Sun!
Given Arizona ranks 49th in the nation for mental health care and accessibility and mental health conditions is the most common underlying cause of pregnancy-related deaths, #MentalHealthDay was a step in the right direction with like-minded people coming together to advocate for a better tomorrow.
Want to be part of the solution? Join our inspired group of volunteers!
🗓️ Upcoming Events
HONORING WORLD MENTAL HEALTH WEEK | APR 26 - MAY 3
Raise awareness around parents’ perinatal mental health complications. This year, the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance for People of Color is hosting Maternal Mental Health 2024 in English and Spanish: April 29 - May 3.
Join us for presentations, lectures, and discussions with experts worldwide to educate families and other health care professionals. 🗓️ SAVE the DATE for the exclusive screening of the film “Short Years, Eternal Days” on May 1. The film portrays the postpartum period, followed by a live Q&A with the director and participants. This is a Bilingual event in English and Spanish.
Register here.
Make a difference, download and share using the toolkits in English and Spanish
ASU + PSI-AZ: PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH WITHIN A CULTURALLY ATTUNED FRAMEWORK TRAINING
APR 25, 12 - 1:30p | VIRTUAL
There is still one more session left of the Social Worker CEU Opportunity with PSI-AZ and Arizona State University! Earn 1.5 CEU's while learning from the leading experts in the perinatal field. Register here.
LUNCH & LEARN WITH JACOB’S HOPE
FRIDAY, APRIL 26 | 12PM - 1PM | VIRTUAL
Join 4th Trimester AZ & PSI Arizona as we discuss Treating Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome with Lyndsey Mathiowetz with Jacob’s Hope. Lyndsey will touch on Jacob's Hope's mission, outreach programs, and peer support programs. Set aside an hour out of your day to learn more about this wonderful organization. Register here.
✨ Inaugural BIPOC Maternal Mental Health Networking Mixer
The first-ever BIPOC Networking Mixer promises to be a powerful gathering of Perinatal (pregnancy, birth and postpartum) providers of Color and their Allies at Pedal Haus Brewery in Phoenix. This community gathering will deepen community relationships and spark conversations that morph into innovative solutions, advancing maternal health equity in Arizona.
Appetizers and limited drinks will be provided, along with a raffle sponsored by Mission Barbers, Mariposa Motherhood, Mission Haircraft, The Art of Ghee, and Luna Acupuncture. The event is SOLD OUT!
PARENTHOOD JOURNEY FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, APRIL 27 | 9AM - 1PM
Join us for a celebration of all things pregnancy, parenting, and family. This festival is your one-stop destination to explore a wide range of resources, services, and products designed to support you at every stage of your parenthood journey. Learn more here.
💙 Your Support Made a Difference: AZ Gives Day🌵
Thank you to all who supported PSI-AZ for our first AZ Gives Day!
Did the deadline fly by? It’s not too late!
🗣️Do You Have a Perinatal Mental Health Job to Fill?
Share your organization’s PMH job posting which gets over 1,500 views. Jobs will be included in our monthly eNews: 1 month for $30. Contact: psi.arizona1@gmail.com
With Gratitude,
Elizabeth Wood, Arizona Chapter Chair
Postpartum Support International