Let me get straight to it:

Tennessee has the highest maternal mortality rate in the country.
That should stop all of us in our tracks. But for me, it hits deeper. As a therapist, as a Black woman, and as a mother — this is more than a headline. It’s personal.

I’ve sat with too many women who’ve had to push through postpartum with no support.
I’ve heard the stories of mothers dismissed when they say something doesn’t feel right.
And I’ve lived parts of it myself.

We have to stop acting like maternal health starts and ends in the delivery room.
Maternal mental health is part of the picture — and it can’t keep being left out.

What We Don’t Talk About Enough

Too many mothers are dealing with:

postpartum depression
anxiety and racing thoughts
trauma from birth
rage that feels out of control
complete emotional isolation

And yet so many don’t speak up. Or when they do, they’re brushed off.
Especially Black mothers.

In Tennessee, there aren’t enough trained providers.
There’s not enough insurance coverage for postpartum therapy.
And there’s definitely not enough culturally responsive care that meets Black women where they are.

We’re not just dealing with gaps in the system — we’re dealing with silence.

If You’ve Felt It, You’re Not Alone

Maybe your experience of motherhood hasn’t looked like the pictures.
Maybe you’ve had scary thoughts, or felt more disconnected than joyful.
Maybe no one’s checked on you since the baby came.

You are not weak.
You are not broken.
You are not alone.

You don’t have to pretend everything is fine.
You don’t have to earn rest or help or softness.

What We Can Do — Right Now

This isn’t just about awareness. It’s about action.

For Moms:

Speak up. Ask for help. You deserve support.
Your feelings matter. Your safety matters.

For Supporters and Allies:

Believe mothers when they say something’s wrong.
Push for policies that extend postpartum mental health care coverage.
Give to organizations doing the work:

For Providers:

Get trained in perinatal mental health.
Learn how to provide culturally responsive care.
Make your office a safe space for the truth.

A Note From Me

If you’re navigating the weight of postpartum or trying to make sense of your motherhood experience — I’m here.

I’m currently accepting new clients in Tennessee.
My work centers maternal mental health, trauma, and culturally responsive care for women of color.

Email me directly: amanda@newcounselingpllc.com
Amanda Brown, LCSW
Nashville Emotional Wellness Counseling (NEW Counseling PLLC)

No matter what your motherhood looks like — you deserve to feel seen, supported, and whole.
Let’s make sure you’re not doing this alone.