Transforming Perinatal Mental Health Care for BEM Women: A Collaborative, Culturally Sensitive Approach

What's It All About?

At the heart of our work with haPPIE: SHE Cares is a simple idea: every woman deserves care that understands her, respects her experiences, and supports her mental well-being during one of life’s most profound transitions. In partnership with Blum Health (ERA Care), Community Group Leaders- CAHN, Heya Group, South Asian Health Network and Black Mamas Birth Village, The Essential Baby Co CIC (haPPIE Research Group), and Dr. Julian, we’re making this a reality for Black and ethnically minoritized (BEM) women during the perinatal period. SHE is a beacon of change- Sharing Healthcare Experiences Safely.

What We’re Building

haPPIE: SHE Cares is more than a project—it’s a community and a movement. We’ve designed a digital and community-based support network that meets women where they are, with tools and services that truly speak to their needs. Here’s what you can expect:

• Self-Assessment Tools: Our ERA Care self-assessment tool empowers women to reflect on their mental and physical health in the early days after birth. It’s delivered before routine postpartum GP checks, helping them bring their concerns forward confidently.

• Virtual Therapy: Dr. Julian’s digital platform offers secure, on-demand therapy sessions. This means that quality mental health support is just a click away, reducing the everyday challenges of travel and scheduling.

• Community-Based Support: We’re working with trusted community leaders who already provide culturally appropriate support in communities across England, they will provide monthly group sessions—whether online or in person. These sessions help break down isolation and build trust among women who often feel left out of traditional care systems.

  
  

How It All Comes Together

What sets haPPIE: SHE Cares apart is our commitment to seamless integration. We’re linking healthcare, mental health, and community services into one clear, accessible pathway. By recognising trusted community leaders as anchors for this project, women are automatically directed into the right support stream. And our trigger-based interventions are designed using inclusive, evidence-informed criteria—ensure that those at risk are identified early and given the tailored support they need.

This collaborative approach aligns with NHS goals, reinforcing specialist perinatal care and expanding access to evidence-based psychological therapies. It’s a step forward in reducing the long waiting lists and missed opportunities that so many BEM women currently face.

Why It Matters

It’s clear that traditional healthcare systems have fallen short for many women, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Studies have shown that BEM women often experience higher risks of birth trauma and yet are less likely to access mental health services. This gap isn’t just about numbers—it’s about real lives impacted by systemic barriers.

By offering culturally sensitive, community-led support, we’re not only improving mental health outcomes—we’re rebuilding trust and shining a light on those invisible support networks traditional healthcare systems fail to acknowledge. When women feel understood and supported by those who share their cultural context, stigma fades away, and conversations about mental health become a source of empowerment rather than isolation.

Looking Ahead

haPPIE: SHE Cares is a movement toward equitable, accessible, and compassionate care. Our goal is to validate a more inclusive care pathway that benefits patients, optimises NHS resource use, and sets a new standard for mental health support. Every woman, regardless of her background, should have access to the care she deserves.

In our work, every feedback session, every community meeting, and every digital innovation is a step toward a future where care is truly for all. This is our commitment, and we invite you to join us in making this vision a reality.

Join the Conversation and the Movement! Show your support by sharing this post, following our journey, or becoming a member of our community. Let’s work together to transform perinatal mental health care—because every voice matters and every story counts.