The Seleni Institute, in partnership with the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey—Black Perinatal Mental Health Webinar
In recognition of Maternal Mental Health Month
Presented by Dr. Solimar Santiago-Warner, DSW, LCSW, PMH-C
Admission: Free
Location: Zoom webinar presentation (Zoom link will be provided after registration is completed)
Black birthing people experience significantly higher rates of maternal mortality and maternal mental health challenges compared to their white counterparts. These disparities are influenced by structural racism, systemic inequities in healthcare, and barriers to culturally responsive care.
This webinar explores the impact of implicit bias and systemic inequities on Black perinatal mental health and highlights strategies providers can use to offer more equitable and responsive care.
Participants will gain insight into historical and structural factors shaping maternal health outcomes, learn how bias can influence clinical interactions, and identify practical strategies for supporting Black birthing clients experiencing perinatal mental health distress.
This session is adapted from Seleni Institute’s 6-hour on-demand training of the same title.
Presenter
Dr. Solimar Santiago-Warner, DSW, LCSW, PMH-C
Dr. Solimar Santiago-Warner, DSW, LCSW, PMH-C is a clinician-scholar and trained palliative care social worker specializing in perinatal mental health, perinatal palliative care, reproductive trauma, and grief-informed practice. She is the founder of Solmaterna Psychotherapy & Consulting, serving women and birthing people navigating infertility, life-limiting fetal diagnoses, perinatal loss, and complex reproductive transitions.
She earned her BA from Connecticut College, her MSW from Boston College, and her DSW from NYU Silver School of Social Work. She completed palliative care training through NYU’s Zelda Foster Studies Program in Palliative and End-of-Life Care and maternal mental health training through The Seleni Institute. In addition to her clinical work, she teaches and mentors clinicians, interdisciplinary teams, and doctoral students, serves on professional boards, and has published on perinatal palliative care and reproductive grief.
Learning Objectives
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
Describe the historical context and current role of structural racism in the United States healthcare system.
Define birth equity and explain why it is essential when working with Black birthing clients.
Identify screening tools and approaches that support Black individuals experiencing perinatal mental health distress.
Continuing Nursing Education Contact Hours
This program has been awarded 1.0 contact hours.
This program is jointly provided by The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey and Seleni. The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by New Jersey State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. P194-4/26-29.
Approval status does not imply endorsement by the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey, NJSNA or by ANCC of any commercial products discussed/displayed in conjunction with the educational activity.
Continuing Social Work and Psychology Contact Hours (NY)
This program has been awarded 1.0 contact hours.
Seleni Institute is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0754.
Seleni Institute is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0225
Note: There will be 1 CE and certificates of completion awarded at the completion of the webinar.