ABOuT US
At Whole Parent Foundation, we believe every parent should have access to free basic community support before and after having a baby—regardless of status, regardless of need. We are working toward equal access to compassionate, accessible mental health care and support for all caregivers. And we work hard, knowing strong mental health supports for parents will strengthen relationships, decrease intergenerational trauma, build healthy attachment systems, and fortify local economies.
Who we are
We are a small board of parents who are committed to changing what it looks like to parent in Kansas City. We are social workers, advocates, writers, support group facilitators, and compassionate human beings who believe parents deserve better: better mental health treatment options, more physical supports and resources, more recognition for all that they do.
We're looking for more people like us to fight for caregiver rights. Is that you?
Why we care
We believe in this cause because we have each experienced maternal mental health disorders, such as pregnancy and postpartum depression and anxiety, and felt the weight of inadequate support.
We're not alone: Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are the #1 complication of childbirth. Worldwide, they affect up to 1 in 5 moms and up to 1 in 10 dads. Black and Latinx moms are at least twice as likely to experience PPD as white mothers. Prevalence rates for LGBTQ+ and trans parents have not been fully researched, but are thought to be higher than heteronormative parents.
This is not okay. This is our why.
At least half of perinatal women with a diagnosis of depression don't get the treatment they need.