Perinatal Mental Health Summit 2026 Schedule

9–9:30 a.m.

Welcome

• President Michelle J. Anderson, Brooklyn College
• Jacqueline Shannon and Haroula Ntalla, Early Childhood Education/Art Education Department, Brooklyn College

Opening Remarks

Helena A. Grant, MS, CNM, LM, CICP, FACNM

9:30-10:30 a.m.

Perinatal Grief and the Postpartum Body

Solimar Santiago-Warner, DSW, LCSW, PMH-C, Solmaterna Therapy and Consulting

Overview

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.

10:30–10:45 a.m.

Break

10:45 a.m.–noon

Fathers Matter: Perinatal Mental Health, Partnership, and Early Relationships

Panelists

• Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW, PMH-C. Paige Bellenbaum Consulting
• Alison Baker, LCSW, PMH-C, Clinical Director, Seleni Institute
• Moeshe Moeller, PhD, 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—often 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’s/non-birthing parent’s well-being but also the child’s 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.

noon–12:50 p.m.

Lunch

1–2 p.m.

A Relationship Held from the Beginning: Lessons from Dyadic Psychotherapy and Reflective Groups in Infant Mental Health Practice

Presenters

• Silvia Juárez-Marrazo, LCSW-R, NCPsyA, Chances for Children, Adjunct Instructor, Early Childhood/Art Education Department, Brooklyn College
• 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–infant 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.

2–3 p.m.

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
• Kimberly Polanco, MSW, PMH-C, Birth and Abortion Doula and Childbirth Educator, OB/GYN Ambulatory Practice, Mount Sinai Hospital
• Carmen Muñoz-Medrano, Health Program Coordinator, Hispanic Federation

Moderator

• Silvia C. Juárez-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—including limited insurance coverage, lack of bilingual providers, and logistical challenges—further 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’ 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.

3:30–3:50 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Ashanda Saint-Jean, MD, FACOG; Associate Professor in the Department of OB/GYN at New York Medical College

3:45–4:30 p.m.

Networking/Reception