The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is set to host a live, Spanish-language event — a Cafecito and tele-town hall — on Tuesday, May 21, from 6 to 7 p.m. The goal of the event is to address the issue of maternal health in North Carolina and provide helpful resources to bolster physical and mental well-being throughout all stages of pregnancy.

The event will feature several distinguished speakers, including Carolina Siliceo Perez, the Latinx/Hispanic Project Manager at NCDHHS; Sonia De La Cruz, Hispanic Maternal Health Coordinator at Maame Inc.; and Liz Soto, a Perinatal Nurse Champion Region IV from the UNC Collaborative for Maternal & Infant Health.

The need for such an event is highlighted by the fact that one in three pregnant women in North Carolina do not receive the necessary prenatal care during their first three months of pregnancy, according to recent data. Moreover, people of color, including those from the Hispanic/Latino community, are often less likely to receive early prenatal care and face additional challenges in accessing the support and information they need.

The panelists during the Cafecito and tele-town hall will discuss a variety of topics, including mental health resources and guidance for parents; pointers and warnings to heed before, during, and after pregnancy; ways in which partners, friends, and family can provide support; and how to engage with maternal health services and providers in Spanish.

This event is particularly timely as it coincides with Maternal Mental Health Month, a period dedicated to advocating for women’s mental health before, during, and after pregnancy. It’s worth noting that at least one in 10 new mothers grapple with anxiety and depression, with women of color nearly four times more likely to experience a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder.

The Cafecito will be broadcast live via the NCDHHS Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube channels. Viewers will have the opportunity to submit questions during the event, but there will also be a tele-town hall during which individuals will be invited to listen and submit questions via phone. The call-in number for the event is (855) 756-7520 Ext. #100655.