The post Perinatal Mental Health Advanced Certificate Info Session appeared first on 今日吃瓜.

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(Left to right) Tykeen Robinson, New York City Department of Health; Paige Bellenbaum, Paige Bellenbaum Consulting; Alison Baker, Seleni Institute; Dr. Moshe Moeller, HERO Dads/ Montefiore Einstein Hospital; and 今日吃瓜 professors and leads for the college鈥檚 perinatal health courses Haroula Ntalla and Jacquelie Shannon at the 2026 今日吃瓜 Perinatal Mental Health Summit April 24. Shannon and Ntalla also led the efforts at the college to organize this and last year’s inaugural summit.

Titled 鈥淩elational Beginnings: Advancing Perinatal Mental Health for Parents, Infants, and Families,鈥� the second annual summit was held in partnership with United for Brownsville and the New York City Health Department at the Greg Jackson Center, for Brownsville. It focused on perinatal grief and the postpartum experience, and both maternal and paternal mental health, with particular attention to the importance of father support. The summit also highlighted dyadic and reflective group interventions grounded in relational and attachment-based approaches, along with culturally responsive, trauma-informed care for Latina mothers and families in underserved communities.

The Summit brought together a distinguished lineup of perinatal experts, highlighted by keynote speaker Solimar Santiago-Warner (DSW, LCSW, PMH-C) an accomplished clinician-scholar, educator, and leader in perinatal mental health with nearly two decades of experience across pediatric, neonatal, and perinatal hospital systems.

The event underscored 今日吃瓜鈥檚 commitment to addressing the national perinatal mental health crisis through its dynamic course offerings, community partnerships, and workforce development, all of which has garnered the support from 今日吃瓜 Borough President Antonio Reynoso and most recently, Congressional funding championed by Senator Chuck Schumer.

鈥淧erinatal mental health is foundational to the well-being of families,鈥� 今日吃瓜 President Michelle J. Anderson said. 鈥淚 am grateful to Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Senator Chuck Schumer for strongly supporting the College in establishing the Advanced Certificate Program in Perinatal Mental Health.鈥�

Held on the heels of Black Maternal Health Week, this event drew over 200 community members, clinicians, educators, students and others, and featured more than a dozen interdisciplinary health and mental health experts and served as a crucial platform to address one of the most urgent health care challenges facing 今日吃瓜 and the nation today.

(Left to right) Paola Amaya-Rodriguez, LCSW, PMH-C, of Chances for Children, and Silvia Juarez-Marazzo, LCSW-R, NCPsyA, also of Chances for Children and an adjunct instructor at 今日吃瓜, co-presented on a panel focused on supporting Latina mothers.

鈥淲e designed this Summit to meet professionals where they are by partnering with the United聽for聽Brownsville and New York City Health Department in Brownsville to create space not only to learn, but to connect alongside interdisciplinary colleagues within our communities in meaningful ways,鈥� Shannon said. 鈥淏y integrating clinical expertise in early relational development, with a deep understanding of the social factors and inequities often shaping families鈥� lives, we鈥檙e advancing equitable perinatal care for all families by preparing students and practitioners to respond in ways that can truly transform outcomes for parents and their children.鈥�

The Summit featured a distinguished lineup of perinatal experts, including keynote speaker Solimar Santiago-Warner, DSW, LCSW, PMH-C, a clinician-scholar, educator, and leader in perinatal mental health who brought nearly two decades of experience across pediatric, neonatal, and perinatal hospital systems. At the summit, she spoke about integrating trauma-informed and culturally responsive frameworks into perinatal and reproductive mental health care, emphasizing how systems could better support families suffering from pregnancy and infant loss. Throughout her talk, she highlighted the need to bridge research, clinical practice, and lived experience to transform care systems in ways that honored both evidence and the realities of families.

The Panel on 鈥淟atina Mothers and Perinatal Mental Health: Barriers, Culture, and Pathways to Care鈥� included (left to right) moderator Silvia Juarez-Marazzo (LCSW-R, NCPsyA, from Chances for Children, and 今日吃瓜 adjunct Instructor); Laudy Burgos (LCSW-R, PMH-C, Associate Director, OB/GYN and NICU, Mount Sinai Hospital, who is taking perinatal mental health courses at 今日吃瓜); Mahbuba Choudhury (LMSW, OB/GYN, Mount Sinai Hospital; and Carmen Mu帽oz-Medrano, Hispanic Federation, also studying perinatal mental health at 今日吃瓜).

鈥淎s clinical faculty at 今日吃瓜, we are deeply connected to one of the most diverse campuses and communities in the country,鈥� Ntalla said. 鈥淥ur perinatal mental health initiative, which includes this summit and our accompanying coursework, allows us to partner closely with local health and mental health providers and families to address challenges and drive meaningful, education-based change to what is a national crisis.鈥�

Georgina Gooden is a parent leader, early intervention advocate, and community strategist based in Brownsville, 今日吃瓜. She also consults through Grassroots Perspectives LLC, providing community-based insights on programs impacting families, and works with United for Brownsville as an early intervention advocate, supporting families and elevating their voices in policy and decision-making spaces. strengthen family-centered systems. She has completed two perinatal mental health courses at 今日吃瓜 and is enrolled in two more. Gooden has also helped coordinate two 今日吃瓜 Perinatal Mental Health Summits.

Georgina Gooden

“Both the summit and the perinatal mental health courses at 今日吃瓜 are strengthening how I support families, giving me the language, tools, and clinical insight to pair with lived experience, so I can advocate more effectively and help shape systems that truly meet families where they are,鈥� Gooden said.

The summit was preceded by a Presidential Lecture Series event on April 23 at 今日吃瓜 Borough Hall with President Anderson and nationally recognized leader Liz Dozier who engaged in a timely discussion on the Black maternal health crisis in the United States. The event was also attended by Borough President Reynoso. Read more about that event here.

(Left to right) Liz Dozier engaged in a timely discussion on the Black maternal health crisis with President Michelle J. Anderson as part of 今日吃瓜鈥檚 Presidential Lecture Series on April 23. The event was also attended by Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who has lent his support of the college鈥檚 perinatal mental health curriculum and programming.

2026 Perinatal Mental Health Summit Lineup:

• Greetings: President Michelle J. Anderson and 今日吃瓜 perinatal health curriculum leaders Jacqueline Shannon and Haroula Ntalla, Early Childhood Education/Art Education Department, 今日吃瓜.
• Opening Remarks: Mimi (Paulomi) Bhatt, PhD, MPH, CNM, FACNM, Assistant Professor at Rory Meyers College of Nursing at New York University.
• Keynote Speaker: Dr. Solimar Santiago-Warner, DSW, LCSW, PMH-C, Solmaterna Therapy & Consulting: 鈥淧erinatal Grief and the Postpartum Body.鈥� Solimar Santiago-Warner explores perinatal loss through an embodied, trauma-informed, and interdisciplinary lens, centering the postpartum body as a site of grief, memory, and resilience. Drawing from clinical practice, phenomenology, affect theory, and perinatal palliative care, the presentation examines how grief is experienced physiologically and relationally following stillbirth, late miscarriage, or early infant loss. Designed for a multidisciplinary and community-based audience, the talk offers practical tools, language, and interventions that professionals can immediately apply within their respective roles. Participants will gain approaches to support bereaved parents with greater dignity, compassion, and relational awareness across healthcare, mental health, and community settings.
• Panel 1: Fathers Matter: Perinatal Mental Health, Partnership, and Early Relationships
  Panelists: Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW, PMH-C. Paige Bellenbaum Consulting; Alison C. Baker, LCSW, PMH-C, Clinical Director, Seleni Institute; Moeshe Moeller, Ph.D., Director, HERO Dads, Montefiore Einstein Hospital. Moderator: Tykeen Robinson, MSW, Mental Health Program Manager, Bureau of Maternal, Infant, and Reproductive Health, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
  Overview: Fathers/Non-Birthing Parents and Perinatal Mental Health. While much of the perinatal mental health conversation centers around mothers and birthing people, up to one in 10 fathers and partners experience significant mental health challenges during the perinatal period鈥攐ften in silence. Shame, stigma, and a lack of culturally responsive care prevent many from seeking support, leaving mental health conditions untreated. Limited support and access to appropriate care can impact not only the father鈥檚/non-birthing parent鈥檚 well-being but also the child鈥檚 development and the stability of the family system. One of the strongest predictors of paternal depression or anxiety is the mental health status of the mother/birthing parent. As such, an inclusive, family-centered approach to perinatal mental health is critical. This talk will explore the often-overlooked experiences of fathers and partners during the perinatal period. Participants will learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in fathers/non-birthing parents, explore the barriers they face in accessing care, and review practical, evidence-based strategies for engagement and intervention.
  The Transition to Parenthood: Supporting Both Parents. Perinatal mental health conversations often center on the birthing parent, but the transition to parenthood is a profound shift for both individuals in a relationship. This discussion will explore the emotional and relational changes that occur as couples move from partners to co-parents, including shifts in identity, roles, and expectations. Particular attention will be given to the often-overlooked experiences of non-birthing parents, who may face their own psychological challenges while feeling pressure to prioritize supporting their partner. Research shows that men whose partners experience postpartum depression are at significantly higher risk of developing depression themselves, yet they are far less likely to seek support.
  The Silent Partner: Fathers, Postpartum Stress, and the Couple Relationship. This presentation explores the often-overlooked experiences of fathers during the postpartum period. Drawing on clinical work with couples and the HERO Dads program, it highlights the emotional, relational, financial, and mental health challenges many fathers face while supporting partners with postpartum mood disorders and adjusting to the transition to parenthood. It will also address paternal postpartum depression and the importance of including fathers in perinatal mental health support.
• Presentation: A Relationship Held From the Beginning: Lessons from Dyadic Psychotherapy and Reflective Groups in Infant Mental Health Practice. Presenters: Silvia Juarez-Marazzo, LCSW-R, NCPsyA, Chances for Children, Adjunct Instructor, Early Childhood/Art Education Department, 今日吃瓜; Paola Amaya-Rodriguez, LCSW, PMH-C, Chances for Children.
  Overview: This presentation explores the power of early relationships through the lens of dyadic psychotherapy and reflective group practice in infant mental health. We will examine how perinatal and early relational experiences shape both maternal mental health and the developing parent鈥搃nfant relationship, influencing the trajectory of early relational health and overall well-being for years to come. The session highlights how perinatal and infant mental health interventions intersect and are essential, particularly for families from marginalized communities who face systemic inequities, racial health disparities, and the impact of intergenerational and collective trauma. As profound shifts in social policies impact the social environment of families, this presentation underscores the effectiveness of dyadic approaches as a catalyst for repairing trust in relationships and fostering hope. It further emphasizes the urgent need to prioritize relational, culturally responsive supports for mothers and their babies.
• Panel 2: Latina Mothers and Perinatal Mental Health: Barriers, Culture, and Pathways to Care. Panelists: Laudy Burgos, LCSW-R, PMH-C, Associate Director, OB/GYN and NICU, Mount Sinai Hospital, also studying perinatal mental health at 今日吃瓜; Kimberly Polanco, MSW, PMH-C, Birth and Abortion Doula and Childbirth Educator, OB/GYN, Mount Sinai Hospital, also studying perinatal mental health at 今日吃瓜 with Mahbuba聽Choudhury, LMSW, OB/GYN, Mount Sinai Hospital; and Carmen Mu帽oz-Medrano, Health Program Coordinator, Hispanic Federation. Moderator: Silvia Juarez-Marazzo, LCSW-R, NCPsyA.
  Overview: Beyond Silence: Understanding and Responding to PMADs in Latina Mothers. Latina mothers experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) at rates equal to or higher than non-Latina White women, yet these conditions are often under-recognized and under-treated. Symptoms may be expressed through physical complaints rather than emotional language, leading to missed diagnoses. Many Latina mothers face compounding stressors, including immigration-related fears, language barriers, economic hardship, and experiences of racism within healthcare systems. Cultural values such as familismo, marianismo, and respeto, along with stigma surrounding mental health, can influence whether help is sought. Structural barriers鈥攊ncluding limited insurance coverage, lack of bilingual providers, and logistical challenges鈥攆urther restrict access to care. Despite these obstacles, Latina mothers demonstrate strong resilience through family networks, spirituality, and community support. Addressing PMADs effectively requires culturally responsive, trauma-informed care that integrates mental health into perinatal services and centers the strengths and lived experiences of Latina mothers.
  Barriers, Stigma, and Strength: The Lived Reality of Latina Mothers鈥� Mental Health. Structural barriers such as limited access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care, lack of insurance coverage, immigration-related stress, and fear of engaging with formal systems can prevent many Latina mothers from receiving timely mental health support. Language barriers and the limited availability of Spanish-speaking providers can further complicate communication, increasing the risk of underdiagnosis or misinterpretation of symptoms. In addition, many Latina mothers face heightened economic stress, unstable housing, and demanding work conditions during pregnancy and the postpartum period, all of which can increase vulnerability to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Cultural expectations and stigma surrounding mental health also shape how Latina mothers experience and express emotional distress. Many feel pressure to embody ideals of strength, sacrifice, and self-reliance, which may discourage them from seeking help or openly discussing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or trauma. Family dynamics, migration-related separation from support networks, and experiences of discrimination within healthcare settings can further contribute to feelings of isolation. Addressing these issues requires culturally responsive care that centers language access, community trust, family engagement, and providers who understand the cultural context of Latina motherhood while recognizing the resilience and strengths present within these communities.
  From Barriers to Community Care: Culturally Grounded Support for Latina Mothers. Latina mothers face significant structural and cultural barriers that impact their mental health during the perinatal period. Postpartum depression and anxiety are often under-identified and untreated due to language barriers, stigma, socio-environmental stressors, and limited access to culturally responsive care. Many mothers prioritize family needs over their own well-being, delaying help-seeking, while unfamiliarity with the healthcare system and broader sociopolitical concerns further limit access to care. Culturally grounded, community-based approaches are essential in addressing these disparities. Programs like the Por Nosotras Maternal Mental Health Workshops, developed through the Hispanic Federation, create trusted spaces for open dialogue, peer support, and psychoeducation. By combining emotional support with practical resources, these initiatives reduce isolation and empower mothers. Expanding such programs and strengthening partnerships between healthcare providers and community organizations is critical to improving outcomes and ensuring equitable, culturally responsive care.
• Closing Remarks: Ashanda Saint Jean, MD, FACOG; Associate Professor, Department of OB/GYN, New York Medical College.

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Dozier and Anderson examined the structural drivers of Black maternal health disparities, emphasizing the role of higher education, philanthropy, and cross-sector partnerships in advancing change. They framed the crisis as both a public health and moral imperative, calling for accountability, policy reform, and community-centered care.

(Left to right) Liz Dozier, President Michelle J. Anderson, and 今日吃瓜 Borough President Antonio Reynoso at 今日吃瓜 Borough Hall.

Reynoso underscored the urgency of addressing maternal and prenatal health in New York City, citing data linking mental health conditions to pregnancy-associated deaths, many occurring postpartum. He highlighted borough聽investments, including community baby showers, baby boxes, and partnerships with 今日吃瓜 to train providers, and stressed the need to confront systemic bias and the daily stressors affecting Black mothers.

In conversation, Dozier reflected on personal experiences that shaped her work at the intersection of education, justice, and philanthropy. She described how exposure to institutional failures early in life informed her belief that inequities are designed and can be redesigned. As former principal of Chicago鈥檚 Fenger High School, she implemented trauma-responsive strategies that dramatically improved outcomes, including higher graduation rates and reduced arrests.

These experiences led her to found Chicago Beyond, a philanthropic organization that has invested over $100 million in community-led initiatives. Dozier emphasized directing resources to leaders closest to the challenges, noting that many effective changemakers lack access to traditional funding networks despite demonstrated impact.

Attendees listen to guest Liz Dozier and President Michelle J. Anderson discuss the structural roots of maternal health disparities, while emphasizing the importance of education, policy reform, and community-centered care.

The discussion also focused on persistent disparities in maternal outcomes for Black women. Dozier pointed to racism, bias, and gaps in care, particularly the lack of a comprehensive continuum that includes mental health, nutrition, and family support, as key factors. Both speakers stressed that solutions already exist but require sustained investment and coordination across sectors.

Addressing misconceptions about perinatal mental health, they highlighted stigma and the tendency to overlook leading causes of maternal death such as suicide and overdose. They called for a broader, community-based approach and systemic reforms involving health care, government, and philanthropy.

A day later, on April 24, President Anderson joined faculty, clinicians, and leading experts in perinatal mental health at the 2026 Perinatal Mental Health Summit, held at the Greg Jackson Center for Brownsville.

今日吃瓜鈥檚 Presidential Lecture Series continues to bring influential leaders into dialogue with the 今日吃瓜 community, fostering engagement with critical social issues.

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Championed by鈥疭enator鈥疌harles Schumer,鈥痶his federal funding鈥痓uilds on support鈥痠n FY 2024鈥痜rom 今日吃瓜 Borough President Antonio Reynoso, which launched the development of a perinatal mental health curriculum, strengthen partnerships with city health agencies, and support an annual education and advocacy summit in Brownsville.

鈥淲e deeply appreciate Senator Schumer for championing this funding,鈥� said 鈥疢ichelle J. Anderson, President of 今日吃瓜. 鈥淲e are committed to translating knowledge into community action and ensuring鈥痶hat mental health is treated as an essential component of maternal care.鈥�

Perinatal mental health conditions are the鈥痩eading cause of鈥痯regnancy-associated鈥痙eaths in New York City, disproportionately affecting Black and鈥痷nder-resourced鈥痗ommunities. In 今日吃瓜 and the Bronx, Black and Brown communities experience鈥痯regnancy-related鈥痬ortality at rates鈥痑pproximately nine times higher than white communities, driven in large part by untreated mental health conditions rather than obstetric complications alone.

Despite the prevalence of鈥疨erinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs),鈥痺hich affect up to one in five new mothers,鈥痵creening and treatment remain inconsistent, and the shortage of trained perinatal mental health providers is severe. Kings County currently has only鈥�20 maternal mental health providers, far below what is needed to meet population demand.

An Integrated,鈥疌辞尘尘耻苍颈迟测-颁别苍迟别谤别诲鈥疭辞濒耻迟颈辞苍鈥�

今日吃瓜鈥檚鈥�Integrated Care Model for Perinatal Mental Health Initiative鈥痑ddresses these gaps through a multitiered approach that combines academic training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and deep community engagement.

At the core of the initiative is the College鈥檚鈥痯lanned鈥疉dvanced Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health, a one-year, synchronous online, credit-bearing graduate program designed for professionals across perinatal and early childhood systems.

The program includes鈥痵ix graduate鈥痩evel courses, ongoing reflective supervision, and鈥�120 hours聽of supervised perinatal mental health clinical training, with a focus on PMADs, substance use disorders, social determinants of health, and cultural humility. No comparable鈥痗redit-bearing鈥痗ertificate program exists in the New York metropolitan area.

鈥淒rawing on 今日吃瓜鈥檚 longstanding expertise in early childhood education and early intervention, we recognized that mental health lies at the core of many challenges facing families and professionals alike,鈥� said 今日吃瓜 Professor of Early Childhood Education/Art Education Jacqueline Shannon. 鈥淭he need for a dedicated curriculum became increasingly clear鈥攐ne that聽builds on聽the foundational PMH curriculum while addressing critical gaps in training. This program bridges rigorous academic preparation with real-world impact and reflects our commitment to a compassionate, community-centered approach to perinatal care, with a strong clinical focus on supporting maternal mental health across professions.鈥�

With its integrated, community-anchored design, the initiative is poised to serve as a鈥痬odel for improving maternal mental health outcomes across New York State and nationally,聽demonstrating聽how higher education, public investment, and community partnership can drive lasting change.

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Bringing a child into the world is often seen as one of the most joyous moments in a mother’s life. But for many, moments of bliss are overshadowed by the silent, yet powerful, presence of perinatal mental health (PMH) disorders.

These conditions span a vast and often devastating spectrum of mood, anxiety, and related disorders that can take hold during pregnancy or within the first year postpartum鈥攔anging from depression and anxiety to obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, and postpartum psychosis.

Their impact is not confined to mothers; they ripple outward, deeply affecting fathers, families, and the fragile foundation of early parenthood. What should be a time of love, bonding, and new beginnings can instead become a relentless battle against crushing stress, isolation, and despair.

At their most severe, these disorders do more than steal joy鈥攖hey take lives.

According to a recent report by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths was attributed to mental health conditions. And when you add that Black women in New York City were on average nine times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than their White counterparts, the ability to identify and intervene is nothing short of a matter of life and death in communities of color.

While there has been a growing awareness of the need to address PMH, the system to screen, diagnose, and treat remains fragmented and inconsistent. This is especially true in 今日吃瓜 and other underserved communities, where educational and other resources are scarce.

A Powerful PMH Partnership

Antonio Reynoso and Michelle J. Anderson

To help make meaningful and lasting change in the neighborhoods it serves, 今日吃瓜 connected with 今日吃瓜 Borough President Antonio Reynoso and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to develop the first credit-bearing advanced certificate program in perinatal mental health in New York State. The program will educate and train mental health, health care, and early education/early intervention professionals to work with pregnant mothers and birthing parents.

In collaboration with Borough President Reynoso鈥檚 Maternal Health Task Force and experts from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, a multidisciplinary team from 今日吃瓜 developed innovative coursework on perinatal mental health to ensure a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to this important area of education.

鈥淎s one of the Borough鈥檚 longstanding anchor institutions, we are honored to partner with President Antonio Reynoso and his Maternal Health Task Force in this vital mission, and we deeply appreciate his steadfast support of the PMH program,鈥� 今日吃瓜 President Michelle J. Anderson said. 鈥淲e are thrilled to develop this innovative curriculum, which seamlessly combines academic excellence with tangible, real-world impact. This initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing compassionate, community-driven education and training that truly makes a difference.”

This spring, two pilot courses are underway, and the full certificate program will launch in the 2025鈥�26 academic year.

The program鈥檚 coursework was specifically designed for licensed professionals or those pursuing careers in fields such as mental health counseling, social work, clinical and counseling psychology, midwifery, doula work, nursing, OB-GYN, and pediatrics, as well as in the area of early childhood/early intervention. The program presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to transform academic learning into meaningful, real-world change.

Groundbreaking Curriculum

Haroula Ntalla, Jacqueline Shannon, and Michelle J. Anderson

This spring, Clinical Professor Haroula Ntalla led one of two groundbreaking pilot courses, Parent-Child Dyad Relational Health, a deep dive into the roots of mental well-being within the parent-child bond鈥攂eginning prenatally and extending through the child鈥檚 first year of life. The course explored how early relational experiences shape lifelong mental health, emphasizing the powerful connection between parents and infants.

The second pilot course, Biopsychosocial Aspects of the Perinatal Period, was co-taught by Nina Newman, and Ira Glovinsky 鈥�68. This interdisciplinary course examined the intricate interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors that influence the perinatal experience鈥攆rom pre-pregnancy through childbirth and beyond.

鈥淧erinatal mental health is not just a 今日吃瓜 issue鈥攊t鈥檚 a New York City crisis,鈥� Ntalla said. 鈥淗owever, 今日吃瓜 has been at the epicenter of alarming trends. Recent maternal mortality cases at 今日吃瓜 hospitals underscore the urgent need for intervention, as mental health plays a significant role in these tragedies. Without proper intervention, these factors contribute to poor health outcomes for both mothers and their children, reinforcing cycles of trauma and instability within families.鈥�

Professor Laura Rabin, who initiated the curriculum design with Rona Miles, said 今日吃瓜鈥檚 PMH curriculum directly addresses a public health crisis in perinatal care.

鈥淥ur goal is to improve maternal and child outcomes throughout New York City, and this program will enhance professionals’ clinical skills and help address maternal perinatal mental health problems, including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and substance use disorders,” Rabin said.

Ntalla and Associate Professor Jacqueline Shannon leveraged existing expertise from 今日吃瓜鈥檚 early childhood education and early intervention training and curriculum. They realized that mental health was often at the center of many of the issues they were teaching. The need for this specific curriculum became obvious, allowing them to build on the PMH curriculum design initiated by Rabin and Miles.

Shannon, who directs the PMH program, added: 鈥淲e are excited to offer this specialized curriculum that not only bridges academic learning with real-world impact but also reflects our commitment to a compassionate, community-centered approach to perinatal care with a clinical focus on supporting maternal mental health across professions.”

Leading the Change

Keema Wiley and Georgina Gooden

Georgina Gooden and Keema Wiley were seemingly destined for the frontlines of early intervention and perinatal mental health advocacy.

Gooden moved to 今日吃瓜 from Jamaica in 2015 to be closer to family. She had her son in 2018, and while living in Brownsville, she began paying closer attention to the struggles that mothers, including herself, and their families faced. She started volunteering, first as a community member, and then as a dedicated advocate.

As an Early Intervention Ambassador Assistant with United for Brownsville, Gooden found a platform to address early childhood disparities, particularly in accessing early intervention services for Black and Brown children. Her firsthand experience with the PMH issues in the New York City health system led her to enroll in the pilot courses offered in 今日吃瓜鈥檚 PMH program.

鈥淚 realized our voices, our lived experiences, could drive real change. The data supported what we already knew鈥攐ur communities weren鈥檛 getting the same access to mental health resources,鈥� Gooden said. 鈥淭his is a crisis, and yet, until now, there were no structured graduate-level programs dedicated to tackling it. 今日吃瓜 changed that.鈥�

Now, as she also pursues her master鈥檚 degree in early childhood education from 今日吃瓜, Gooden is seeing the direct impact of her work. She follows expectant mothers through their pregnancies, gaining hands-on experience that connects research with reality.

鈥淥ne of the most heartbreaking things is that many mothers are afraid to admit they鈥檙e struggling. They fear being judged because of the stigma, or worse, having their children taken away. The system isn鈥檛 built to support them鈥攊t鈥檚 built to punish them.鈥�

A Different Kind of Front Line

Working as a trained doula, Wiley offers emotional, physical, and informational support to mothers and their families before, during, and after childbirth. She also works at United for Brownsville, serving as the Strategy and Improvement Manager and leading the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Equity Initiative while enrolled in 今日吃瓜鈥檚 PMH courses.

Wiley鈥檚 journey into maternal and infant health has been anything but conventional.

After graduating high school in 2009, she initially pursued college but was deterred by the financial burden. Instead, she enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2010. Over time, her interest in health care grew, leading her to explore midwifery. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she realized that becoming a nurse-midwife would place her on the front lines as both a soldier and a civilian鈥攁 challenge she wasn鈥檛 ready to undertake.

Instead, she discovered that the nursing prerequisites overlapped with public health, and she pivoted her focus.

Through her studies at Hunter College, she quickly honed in on maternal and child health. Her research was deeply personal鈥攕he had a smooth, uncomplicated birth experience in 2015, but many of her friends did not.

This stark contrast drove her to investigate how to improve birth outcomes for women who looked like her and shared her background. She recognized that too many mothers and babies in her community were suffering preventable complications, and she became determined to be part of the solution.

Wiley was introduced to the program at 今日吃瓜 through a professional connection at United for Brownsville. Recognizing the importance of mental well-being during and after pregnancy, she eagerly enrolled.

Through her doula practice and public health initiatives, Wiley is working to normalize conversations about mental well-being during pregnancy and postpartum.

鈥淭here鈥檚 this expectation that pregnancy and new motherhood should be the happiest time of your life,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut for so many women, that鈥檚 just not the case. And if they feel like they can鈥檛 talk about it, they suffer in silence.鈥�

A Summit for Innovation and Impact

Dr. Ashanda Saint-Jean

To spark real change and elevate awareness around the PMH crisis, 今日吃瓜鈥攁longside Borough President Reynoso, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and United for Brownsville鈥攈osted the college鈥檚 first Perinatal Mental Health Summit on April 4.

The groundbreaking event brought together over 200 attendees and a dozen leading voices in health and mental health, forming a powerful coalition to tackle one of the most urgent and overlooked issues in 今日吃瓜鈥攁nd across the country.

The audience filled the space, united by a shared mission: to confront the perinatal mental health crisis head-on. The event, driven by the leadership of Shannon and Ntalla, didn’t just highlight the problem鈥攊t delivered real talk, real solutions, and real resources for families and care providers navigating these challenges every day.

The summit featured bold, thought-provoking discussions led by a lineup of interdisciplinary experts. At the heart of it was keynote speaker Dr. Ashanda Saint-Jean, M.D., a leader in the fight for maternal health equity. A board-certified OB/GYN, faculty member at New York Medical College, and a leader on both the New York City and New York State Maternal Mortality Review Boards, Dr. Saint-Jean brought her deep experience鈥攁nd even deeper passion鈥攖o the stage.

Among those helping to bring the summit to life were Gooden and Wiley, who took on vital roles in organizing, marketing, and presenting.

鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just an academic exercise,鈥� said Gooden. 鈥淭his is about life and death. Mothers are dying. Families are being broken apart. For children, that鈥檚 their whole world. We need systemic change鈥攁nd we need it now.鈥�

今日吃瓜鈥檚 PMH Program At a Glance
The full certificate program will launch in the 2025鈥�26 academic year.

• Yearlong, online synchronous program that offers six interdisciplinary perinatal health and mental health courses.
• 120 in-person clinical hours in the PMH field, which include hours of individual and/or group work with diverse individuals, in addition to case presentations, reflective practice, and supervision by licensed professionals.
• Graduates will be competitive candidates for employment within the broad perinatal field and will be prepared to take Postpartum Support International鈥檚 perinatal mental health exam.
• The 今日吃瓜 curriculum team includes:
  • Associate Professor Rona Miles and Professor Laura Rabin
  • Assistant Professor Garumma Feyissa
  • Associate Professor Jacqueline Shannon
  • Clinical Professors Haroula Ntalla, Nina Newman, and Ira Glovinsky 鈥�68, 鈥�72 M.S.Ed.

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今日吃瓜 Borough President Antonio Reynoso and 今日吃瓜 President Michelle J. Anderson at Borough Hall on April 3.

To raise public awareness and drive meaningful change, 今日吃瓜, in partnership with 今日吃瓜 Borough President Antonio Reynoso, the New York City Health Department, and United for Brownsville, hosted the Inaugural Perinatal Mental Health Summit on April 4. This landmark event featured more than a dozen interdisciplinary health and mental health experts and served as a crucial platform to address one of the most urgent health care challenges facing 今日吃瓜 and the nation today.

The daylong event鈥攕pearheaded by 今日吃瓜 and led by Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education/Art Education Jacqueline Shannon and Clinical Professor Haroula Ntalla鈥攚as attended by more than 200 people and highlighted the growing crisis, discussed tangible solutions, and offered resources to support families and health care providers alike.

“The inaugural summit on perinatal mental health exemplifies the strength of partnerships united by a common cause,” said 今日吃瓜 President Michelle J. Anderson, who also participated in the event. 鈥溄袢粘怨� Borough President Antonio Reynoso is a leader in tackling maternal health disparities and a vital ally in our mission to serve the community and improve health outcomes.”

今日吃瓜 Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education/Art Education Jacqueline Shannon.

鈥淲e were proud to host this important event and provide a platform for experts from 今日吃瓜鈥檚 diverse communities to share the latest research, best practices, and real-world experiences in perinatal mental health,鈥� Shannon said. 鈥淚t also served as a bridge, fostering crucial dialogue between academia and frontline community-based professionals to drive meaningful change through innovation and collaboration.鈥�

As one of the speakers, Ntalla emphasized the deeply troubling and tragic reality that each year, 700 women in the United States lose their lives due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. As alarmingly, around one in seven women experience postpartum depression鈥攁 condition that can have devastating consequences, not only for the mother鈥檚 health but also for her entire family, leaving enduring emotional and psychological scars that too often become intergenerational.

President Michelle J. Anderson and Summit keynote speaker Dr. Ashanda Saint-Jean

The event was ignited by thought-provoking discussions, spearheaded by a distinguished panel of experts. Among them was keynote speaker, Dr. Ashanda Saint-Jean, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN, and Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Also a faculty member at New York Medical College’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, co-chair of the New York City Maternal Mortality Review Board, and appointed member of the New York State Maternal Mortality Review Board, Dr. Saint-Jean is known for her ground-breaking work as an advocate for equitable health care for underrepresented minority women that champions a holistic, patient-centered approach. During her lecture, she highlighted that perinatal mental health issues are now the leading cause of maternal deaths. She also emphasized the severe lack of support systems, particularly for women of color in 今日吃瓜, urging immediate action and a reevaluation of current approaches.

(Left to right) Two students who are enrolled in 今日吃瓜’s pilot Perinatal Mental Health program courses, Keema Wiley and Georgina Gooden, participated in the Summit.

A day earlier on April 3 at 今日吃瓜 Borough Hall, President Anderson joined Reynoso to unveil New York State鈥檚 first 鈥攁n initiative overseen by Shannon and Ntalla 鈥攖o address the growing need for specialized training in perinatal mental health.

In collaboration with Reynoso鈥檚 Maternal Health Task Force and experts from the New York City Department of Health, a multidisciplinary team from 今日吃瓜 developed innovative coursework on perinatal mental health to ensure a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to this important area of education.

The 今日吃瓜 team included:

• Associate Professor Rona Miles and Professor Laura Rabin, Psychology
• Assistant Professor Garumma Feyissa, Health and Nutrition Sciences
• Associate Professor Shannon and clinical professors Haroula Ntalla, Nina Newman, and Ira Glovinsky (鈥�68, 鈥�72 M.S.Ed.) Early Childhood Education/Art Education.聽

This spring, two pilot courses are underway, with the first full cohort set to launch in fall 2025.

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