Maternal Mental Health Awareness Webinars
Supporting Perinatal Populations Through COVID-19 and Mental Health Advocacy
FREE CEU Webinar Series:
In recognition of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (May 5–11, 2025), we invite social workers, health professionals, and advocates to attend a powerful, free, CEU-approved two-part webinar series that addresses the unique challenges facing perinatal populations—especially in Black and underserved communities—during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Join us in advancing mental health equity, combating misinformation, and supporting perinatal well-being in every community.
Part I: Connect to End COVID-19 in Pregnant Persons
(Presented by the National Perinatal Association, NASW, NASW Foundation, and University of Texas at Austin)
✔️ Address COVID-19 risks in pregnancy
✔️ Build vaccine confidence
✔️ Promote maternal mental and behavioral health
✔️ Empower patient-centered care
✔️ Earn 5 CEUs
Part II: Maternal Mental Health Webinars
(Webinars apart of the Mental Health Series, The Struggle is Real: Reaffirming Our Strengths in the Black Community) hosted by Howard University School of Social Work in collaboration with BlackDoctors.org, and SAMHSA)
✔️ Strength-based approaches to mental health
✔️ Culturally responsive, community-driven care
✔️ Tackle racial disparities and microaggressions in healthcare
✔️ Advocate for equitable maternal mental health
✔️ Earn 3 CEUs
How to Participate
Earn up to 8 FREE CEUs!
- Register via Eventbrite (No additional registration needed through National Perinatal Association)
- Complete 5 webinars in Part I + 3 webinars in Part II
- Submit a short post-test for each session
- Deadline to complete all modules and evaluations: May 30, 2025
- CEU certificates will be issued within 30 days of completion.
Part I: Connect to End COVID-19 Webinars for Social Workers: in Pregnant Persons
Please complete all 5 Webinars and Post-Test Assessment
Watch WebinarsPart II: Maternal Mental Health
Webinar 1: Building Patient Relationships Through Strength-Based Engagement
Presenter:
Katrina Floyd, DrPh, LISW
MSW Online Program Director
Howard University School of Social Work
Discover the strength-based approach to mental health care that begins with one powerful principle: meet the client where they are. This presentation explores prevention and intervention techniques grounded in the belief that clients are the experts of their own lives. Learn how to co-create mental health improvement plans by tapping into the strengths, resources, and capacities clients already possess. Through strength-based engagement and mutual exchange, you'll uncover practical strategies for building rapport, fostering empowerment, and igniting sustainable change. This is not about fixing clients—it’s about partnering with them to unlock what they’re already capable of achieving.
Watch Webinar
Webinar 2: Maternal Mental Health Challenges
Presenters:
JaNeen Cross, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Yanique Williams, Doctoral Candidate
Howard University School of Social Work
Explore the intersection of maternal mental health and social justice in this webinar focused on understanding the unique challenges facing perinatal populations—especially among vulnerable African-American communities. With rising concerns around maternal and infant mortality, substance use, and neonatal abstinence syndrome, this presentation delves into the complex factors influencing mental health trends during the perinatal period. Learn to identify mood disorders, conduct effective assessments, and implement culturally responsive treatment approaches. The presenters will highlight key disparities, examine systemic drivers, and share vital resources to support the mental well-being of birthing individuals.
Webinar 3: Addressing Microaggressions Toward the Black Perinatal Population in Healthcare Settings
Presenters:
Brittany "Flo" Flournoy, LCSW-S, LICSW, CCM, PMH-C
Clinical Supervisor and Therapist, All Things Flow Therapy and Wellness PLLC
Doctoral Student, Howard University School of Social Work
Uncover the often-overlooked realities of Black maternal health in this session focused on how microaggressions in healthcare settings affect the mental and physical well-being of Black women. Grounded in Critical Race Theory, this presentation shines a light on the sociohistorical roots of racial bias in medicine and challenges the persistent stereotypes that continue to shape healthcare experiences today. Viewers will gain a deeper understanding of how race-based microaggressions undermine patient outcomes—and more importantly, learn actionable strategies to disrupt these harmful patterns and promote equitable, compassionate maternal care.
Post Test Assessment
To receive your 8 free Continuing Education Units (CEUs), it’s not just about watching the webinars—it’s about engaging with the content and sharing your feedback.
There are TWO separate post-test assessments—one for each part of the series. Each assessment is designed to:
- Evaluate your understanding of key course content
- Reinforce best practices in perinatal mental and physical health
- Gather your feedback to improve future educational offerings
- Confirm your eligibility for CEU certification
Receiving Your Free Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)
To earn your 8 free CEUs for completing this two-part webinar series, please carefully follow these steps:
Step 1: Register
- Enroll only through Eventbrite.
- (No additional registration required through the National Perinatal Association website.)
Step 2: Participate
- View all webinars in Part I (Connect to End COVID-19 in Pregnant Persons) and Part II (The Mental Health Series: The Struggle is Real).
- You must watch all required modules in full to qualify.
Step 3: Complete the Post-Tests and Evaluations
- After viewing each webinar, complete the corresponding post-test and evaluation form.
- A passing grade is required for each post-test to be eligible for CEUs.
Step 4: Submit All Requirements by the Deadline
- All webinars, post-tests, and evaluations must be completed by May 30, 2025.
Step 5: Receive Your CEU Certificate
- CEU certificates will be emailed to you within 30 days after you successfully complete all requirements.
Important Reminders:
- Make sure to use the same email address for Eventbrite registration and when completing evaluations.
- Partial credit will not be awarded. You must complete all modules and post-tests to receive CEUs.
- If you encounter technical issues, please contact socialworkceus@howard.edu
Additional Resource: APA Perinatal Mental Health Toolkit
We are pleased to share the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Perinatal Mental Health Toolkit as a supplemental resource for participants in our webinar series.
The APA Perinatal Mental Health Toolkit provides comprehensive, evidence-based resources for individuals considering pregnancy, currently pregnant, or in the postpartum period, as well as for practitioners supporting perinatal mental health.
This toolkit offers vital information on:
- Recognizing signs and symptoms of perinatal mental health disorders
- Strategies for prevention, early intervention, and treatment
- Guidance on medication management during pregnancy and postpartum
- Tools for effective communication between patients and providers
- Culturally sensitive considerations to promote equitable care
- Resources to support wellness, resilience, and recovery
