Historical Stigma & Stereotypes: How They Harm Pregnant African Americans with SUDs—and their Children—and What We Can Do About It

By Pamela Woll, MA, CPS, Senior Consultant, African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence

For all our science and sophistication, we still live in a world where people are stigmatized, stereotyped, marginalized, deprived, and shamed for elements of their identities, their circumstances, and their health conditions. 

This article is about behavioral healthcare at the intersection of four of these streams of stigma, stereotype, and discrimination: being Black, being female, being pregnant, and having a substance use disorder (SUD). Already in a state of heightened physical, psychological, social, and often financial vulnerability, these individuals are also targets of multiple myths and prejudices, blocking access to appropriate treatment and support. 

How can behavioral health practitioners—from addiction medicine to recovery support—build safety, health, and stability for pregnant African Americans with SUDs—and for their children? 

The ATTC Network joins SAMHSA in recognizing February as Black History Month. Find a comprehensive array of resources aimed at Building Health Equity and Inclusion on our website, under the "Topics" drop down menu.

We also wish to highlight the following events and activities around our network and from our partners:

• The Collective Power of Black Voices in Healing and Providing Hope to African American Communities, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. EST, on Thursday, February 15. Hosted by The African-American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. 
• Understanding Black Clients in Mental Health Care, 10 a.m. EST, on Thursday, February 15, hosted by the National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health (NNED). 
• Black History Month Panel Presentation: Featuring 2024 Hall of Fame Award Recipients, Museum of African American Addictions, Treatment, and Recovery, recorded webinar, originally aired on Tuesday, February 13, hosted by Great Lakes ATTC. 
• Resources to celebrate Black History Month from Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network.

The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration announces a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

The purpose of this program is to recruit and train EMS personnel in rural areas with a particular focus on addressing substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring disorders (COD) substance use and mental disorders. SAMHSA recognizes the great need for emergency services in rural areas and the critical role EMS personnel serve across the country. Recipients will be expected to train EMS personnel on SUD and COD, trauma-informed, recovery-based care for people with such disorders in emergency situations and, as appropriate, to maintain licenses and certifications relevant to serve in an EMS agency.

With this program, SAMHSA aims to develop the capacity of EMS staff to support residents in rural communities. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, March 20.

Read the official grant announcement.

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