On Friday, February 14 in Albany, NY, policymakers and subject matter experts presented “Perinatal Mental Health: A Public Health Crisis” at the 54th Annual Legislative Conference hosted by NYSABPRHAL. The panel brought elected officials and policymakers together with clinicians, advocates, and researchers for a discussion on the public health crisis of perinatal mental health, the unique impact on Black women and all women of color, recommendations for reducing disparities, and legislation that currently exists to address areas of need, all while looking forward to future legislative priorities in New York State.
NYU McSilver Executive Director Rose Pierre-Louis moderated the discussion. Panelists included New York State Senator Samra Brouk, New York State Senator Lea Webb, Dr. Dilice Robertson (NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing), Dr. Sascha James-Conterelli (NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing), and Dr. Wendy Wilcox (New York City Health + Hospitals).
In addition to Senators Samra Brouk and Lea Webb, New York State Assembly Member Bichotte Hermelyn supported the panel. Other sponsors for this panel include the NYU McSilver Institute, Greater New York Chapter of The Links Inc., NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, Columbia School of Social Work, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem. NYSABPRHAL is the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators, Inc., host of New York State’s annual legislative conference dedicated to empowering and educating communities of color.
