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Continuing the Conversation: Resources to Support Equitable Perinatal Mental Health Care
Health care of birthing individuals is often divided into disparate realms, (ie: academic, private practice, or community programs) rather than begin centered on the holistic needs of the individual. This can impact minoritized individuals to a greater extent, who experience greater health-related inequities and adverse pregnancy outcomes, and have greater challenges to feeling empowered and capable of trusting their healthcare team. Clinical teams are not aware of the wealth of local resources to support the mental health of birthing individuals and their families. Mental health care workers who serve birthing individuals and their families, particularly minoritized populations, experience secondary trauma and compassion fatigue, which threatens the capacity of the mental health force. The course is planned to facilitate discussion and problem-solving from the perspectives of practitioners from disparate health professions, and disparate practice settings in a way that gives voice to minoritized birthing people and instructs about culturally sensitive care while also encouraging the mental health practitioner to practice self-care. The course is set up in a way to emphasize networking during empty times in the schedule, exploring tables set up to display community resources, and engaging in a short Q&A session to allow leaders in community and academic practice to share their vision of community-engaged patient care.
Target Audience
Certified Counselors, Certified Nurse Midwife, Doulas, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician, Physician Assistant, Psychologist, Social Worker.
Learning Objectives
1. Use a racial equity lens to list common biases facing birthing individuals, and describe strategies to advocate and support all patients
2. Describe costs and accessibility barriers to mental health treatment among birthing individuals and describe strategies to reduce barriers in our region
3. Describe provider strategies to maintain personal wellness and prevent burnout
. Describe several community organizations that support mental wellness and basic needs of birthing people and their families
Additional Information
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION_PPPGH Conference Brochure 10012023 (005).pdf | 193.93 KB |
FACULTY LISTING:
COURSE DIRECTORS:
Chaunda Cunningham, LSW Director of Clinical Practice and Home Visiting Healthy Start, Inc; Pittsburgh, PA
Montia Brock, LPC Behavioral health Therapist Western Behavioral health at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Owner/Founder at Mind, Breast, Womb LLC; Pittsburgh, PA
Maryam Varamini, MS Early Childhood Liaison Alliance for Infant and Toddlers Masters of Social Work Candidate August 2025; University of Pittsburgh
Eydie Moses-Kolko, MD Associate Professor of Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC Staff Psychiatrist, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System; Pittsburgh, PA
Katherine Vital-Daley, MD Psychiatry Resident at Allegheny Health Network; Graduating 11/2023 Women’s Behavioral Health West Penn/ Allegheny General Hospital; Pittsburgh, PA
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBER(S): Janice Goldborough, MSW Medical Advocacy Coordinator Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, PA
Rachel Pearl Kolko Conlon, PhD Assistant Professor of Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh department of Psychiatry; Pittsburgh, PA
Diana Byas, BSN, MSN, ACRN, CCM Manager, Maternity Care Management ISDiv UPMC Health Plan; Pittsburgh, PA
John Silipigni MSW, LCSW, MBA, CCM, ACM-SW
Subject Matter Expert
Magee-Women’s Hospital of UPMC
Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work; Pittsburgh, PA
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
MAYA RAGAVAN, MD, MPH, MS Associate Vice Chair of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Research, Department of Pediatrics Assistant Professor of Pediatrics University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh, PA
KHAVAH MURRAY, LCSW, CCTP, CGS Owner, Hope Deals Counseling & Consulting Director of Behavioral Health & Social Services Primary Care Health Services (PCHS) Pittsburgh, PA
FACULTY DISCLOSURE:
All individuals in a position to control the content of this education activity have disclosed all financial relationships with any companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
All of the relevant financial relationships for the individuals listed below have been mitigated:
•Eydie Moses-Kolko has been awarded an educational grant from Sage Therapeutics.
No other members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships with any companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Pittsburgh and Postpartum Pittsburgh. The University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 2.0 contact hours.
Social Work As a Jointly Accredited Organization, University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. University of Pittsburgh maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 2.0 continuing education credits.
Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.
Available Credit
- 2.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
- 2.00 ANCCUPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
- 2.00 ASWB
- 2.00 Attendance