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Two-thirds of Black mums say having a healthcare professional of the same race is important when discussing mental health

Two-thirds of Black mums say having a healthcare professional of the same race is important when discussing mental health

New research reveals what helps Black mums feel comfortable discussing their mental health during pregnancy and after birth.

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Ruairidh Pritchard

Published: September 28, 2026 at 12:16 PM

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New research has revealed that two-thirds of Black mums surveyed say having a healthcare professional of the same race is important when discussing their mental health during pregnancy and after birth.

The findings, published by maternal health organisation Five X More, highlight the importance women place on feeling understood when opening up about their emotional wellbeing.

The research draws on the experiences of 527 Black and Black mixed-heritage women who reported mental health difficulties before, during or after pregnancy. It suggests that shared identity, compassionate care and feeling listened to can all play an important role in women's experiences of maternity services.

Two-thirds say having a healthcare professional of the same race is important

The report asked women which characteristics they valued in healthcare professionals when discussing their mental health.

Of those answering the relevant questions:

66% said having a healthcare professional of the same race was somewhat or very important.
66% said having a healthcare professional of the same gender was important.
48% said having a healthcare professional who shared their ethnicity, including culture, customs and heritage, was important.

These findings offer an insight into what some Black mothers value when discussing sensitive subjects during pregnancy and after birth.

However, the researchers didn't explore why individual women expressed these preferences, meaning the findings shouldn't be interpreted as evidence that matching patients and healthcare professionals by race necessarily improves mental health outcomes.

Why feeling understood matters during pregnancy and after birth

The report highlights how experiences and expectations of discrimination can affect Black women's relationships with maternity and mental health services.

Its authors suggest that feeling understood and taken seriously may influence whether women feel comfortable discussing their emotional wellbeing.

However, they also caution against relying exclusively on matching women with healthcare professionals who share their racial or cultural background.

Instead, the report highlights the importance of ensuring that all maternity professionals can deliver culturally sensitive, non-judgemental care.

This means recognising that women's experiences, backgrounds and individual concerns can shape how they feel about seeking support.

When maternity mental health support gets it right

Although the research identifies inconsistencies in maternity mental health care, it also includes positive experiences from women who received compassionate and sustained support.

Some praised individual midwives and specialist mental health teams for recognising their difficulties, arranging referrals and providing ongoing care.

One respondent, a Black British African woman aged between 18 and 25, described the lasting impact of receiving support from her mental health midwife.

I will never forget my mental health midwife and how seen I felt by her.

Anonymous survey respondent, Black British African, aged 18–25

Another respondent described receiving specialist psychiatric support during a particularly difficult period following childbirth, including while her daughter was in hospital.

Her account illustrates the difference that consistent, compassionate professional relationships can make to women's experiences.

Why culturally sensitive care shouldn't depend on individual midwives

The researchers emphasise that while shared identity can help some women feel more comfortable, maternity services cannot rely on individual healthcare professionals to bridge gaps in cultural understanding.

They warn that doing so could place additional responsibility on staff from racially minoritised backgrounds.

Instead, they highlight the importance of embedding culturally sensitive care throughout maternity services so that every healthcare professional is equipped to recognise and respond to Black women's concerns.

The findings reinforce a central message of the report: women need to feel listened to, understood and supported throughout pregnancy and after birth, regardless of which healthcare professional they see.

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Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.