77: Caribbean Mothers & Perinatal Mental Health

Caribbean Mothers and Perinatal Mental Health with Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter One of the important pieces of understanding perinatal mental health, is putting it in the context of culture, immigration and other socio-cultural factors. When we use the culture to inform healing, a depth of relief and understanding happens. Today we will learn a bit more… Today we have on Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter to discuss perinatal mental health from the lens of Caribbean mothers. As we have stated on previous episodes about culture, there are many different cultures within the Caribbean. So, this is not meant to be specific or prescriptive, rather it is information for us to keep in mind for pregnancy and postpartum. She talks about: *Broad cultural differences for Carribean Mothers *How immigration and length of time in the US impacts seeking help *Ways that Caribbean mothers may experience or express perinatal mental health difficulties *Ways to support mothers Dr. Flores-Carter Bio Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter received her BA in psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2002 her MSW from Cal State, Long Beach and her Doctor of Social Work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Dr. Flores-Carter currently works as a Maternal Child and Pediatrics Associated Clinical Social Worker. She is a proud researcher in the Perinatal Mental Health Field. Dr. Flores-Carter received her certificate in Maternal Mental Health training from Postpartum Support International and works as an expert in Maternal Mental Health. She is a member of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Institutional Review Board and has several research projects in the works. She has done several trainings and presentation on topics related to maternal mental health as well as other issues relating to women’s health including breastfeeding, intimate partner violence, and disparities in health care. Dr. Flores-Carter currently serves as co-chair of the Inland Empire Maternal Mental Health Collaborative. She’s an active member Postpartum Support International, and facilitates a free monthly Postpartum Support Group for women and their families’ on-site at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Dr. Flores-Carter was a recipient of the 2016 ARMC Employee Recognition Award for her effortless work to improve Maternal Mental Health care at ARMC and within the community. She also received the 2017 Golden Ida M. Cannon Award for her work to bring awareness and education on Maternal Mental Health concerns to ARMC’s Women’s Health Department. If you’d like to listen to more episodes of Mom & Mind, please go to www.momandmind.com, where you can get links and subscribe on your favorite listening platform.