Text graphic for EMERGE, a perinatal and women's wellness space, supported by Birth Detroit.

EMERGE is Birth Detroit’s integrated perinatal and women’s mental health program supporting individuals through the emotional, psychological, and identity transitions of womanhood and motherhood.

A smiling woman holding a toddler in her arms, with another woman smiling at them, in a warmly lit room with beige walls and a yellow curtain.

Black women face higher rates of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, yet are less likely to receive timely, appropriate care.

In Detroit, culturally relevant maternal mental health services remain limited and fragmented. EMERGE addresses this gap by offering proactive screening, short-term therapy, psychiatric care, and coordinated referrals. 

A woman with short black hair and gold earrings holds a smiling baby with curly hair close to her face, touching foreheads in a tender moment indoors.

What is the impact of EMERGE?

  • Integrated mental health screenings and care during pregnancy and postpartum.

  • Psychiatric evaluation and medication management by a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

  • Four women with closed eyes embracing each other, wearing light pink attire, standing against a beige background.

    Trusted referrals to therapists aligned with client needs.

  • A man with dreadlocks, wearing a face mask, holding a naked baby with a surprised expression in his arm.

    We accept most major insurance plans, and flexible payment plans are available for families who need them.

Request Appointment

EMERGE ensures families receive support early, consistently, and without stigma.

A young woman sitting on a beige upholstered bench in a living room, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a bright pink dress with spaghetti straps, has short blond hair, and visible tattoos on her arms and shoulder. Behind her are decorative pillows and a framed colorful abstract painting on the wall.

EMERGE is led by Vanessa Landrum, CNM, PMHNP-BC, and Perinatal Mental Health Certified, whose expanded role brings specialized perinatal mental health expertise into Birth Detroit's care model.

Her leadership ensures high-quality clinical care, staff training, and seamless coordination across services.

Meet Vanessa
Request Appointment

EMERGE Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Birth Detroit EMERGE is a women’s mental health support program designed to identify, support, and connect individuals to mental health care across the reproductive life span. The program centers mental wellness through screening, education, medication management when appropriate, and culturally responsive support for women in Detroit—whether or not they are pregnant or postpartum.

  • Birth Detroit EMERGE serves:

    • Women who are not pregnant

    • Pregnant individuals

    • Postpartum individuals

    • Women navigating life transitions, stress, or emotional challenges

    You do not need to be pregnant or recently have given birth to participate.

  • Participants can engage at any time. Birth Detroit EMERGE recognizes that mental health needs can arise before pregnancy, during pregnancy, after birth, or completely outside of the perinatal period.

  • Services may include:

    • Mental health screenings

    • Education about emotional wellness and mood disorders

    • Support for stress, anxiety, and life transitions

    • Resource navigation and referrals to therapy or psychiatric care

    • Medication management when appropriate 

  • No. You do not need a formal diagnosis. Birth Detroit EMERGE is designed for early identification, prevention, and support—whether symptoms are mild, emerging, or ongoing.

  • Birth Detroit EMERGE is:

    • Community-based and culturally responsive

    • Focused on women’s mental health across life stages

    • Designed for early screening and prevention

    • Centered in trust, education, and connection to care

  • Yes. All screenings and conversations are handled with care and confidentiality, in accordance with privacy and professional standards.

  • Participants may be referred through Birth Detroit programs, community partners, or by contacting Birth Detroit directly to learn more about Birth Detroit EMERGE.

  • Yes. Services provided through Birth Detroit EMERGE may be billed through insurance when applicable. Coverage varies by plan.

  • If services are not covered by insurance, self-pay options may be available. Costs and payment expectations will always be discussed transparently prior to care.

  • Yes. Birth Detroit Emerge prioritizes financial transparency. Participants will receive clear information about billing, coverage, and any potential out-of-pocket expenses.

  • Yes. When appropriate, Birth Detroit Emerge welcomes supportive involvement and recognizes that mental health impacts families and communities.

A woman in military camouflage uniform holding a young child in a black and white patterned baby carrier inside a store with books and boxes in the background.
A woman with braided hair smiling and holding a young boy with curly hair in her arms inside a room with large windows and a Community Room sign in the background.
Three women smiling and holding a pregnant belly in front of a backdrop with logos and text. They are dressed in black and casual clothing, with the woman in the middle wearing a t-shirt that says 'BLACK' and 'ROSE MIDW'.
A woman holding a baby girl with a pink headband and large pink flower, while another woman looks on in the background. The baby is wearing a striped shirt and is resting on the woman's shoulder.
A woman holding a young girl with blonde hair and big eyes inside a room with a large television and windows in the background.