DSW Showcase Student Presentation

Tiera Smith

LMSW-C, CLC

Building Maternal Mental Health Support Networks: A Comprehensive Approach to Engaging Formal & Informal Supporters

Concentration -

Abstract

This capstone project seeks to advance maternal mental health support through the development of comprehensive networks that incorporate both formal and informal support systems. Drawing from a systematic literature review, a conceptual paper, and a practice application paper, this project underscores the critical gaps in current maternal mental health support practices and introduces an innovative solution to bridge these disparities for leaders and society as a whole. It adopts a collaborative independence philosophy rooted in biopsychosocial and social-ecological theories to promote a holistic approach, enhancing clinical, nonclinical, familial, and community support levels. It presents a comprehensive e-book developed to empower and equip a diverse range of supporters, including mothers, social workers, other professionals from a range of disciplines, community members, leaders, and organizations; family members, and friends, thereby reinforcing maternal mental health support both within and beyond medically underserved areas. This presentation will detail the methodology, findings, and practical applications emerged from each paper, offering valuable insights to advance maternal health outcomes across clinical and nonclinical settings through a multidimensional lens.

Biography

Tiera Smith is a purpose-driven leader championing maternal, women’s, and generational wellness as Clinical Director of Becoming Wellness Services, a private practice specializing in women’s wellness, and owner of The Proud Brown Company, a social enterprise promoting diversity and wellness through literacy and community initiatives. Smith has supported individuals, families, communities, and organizations in various ways throughout her career.

Smith obtained her Bachelor of Social Work (2018) from Wayne State University and her Master of Social Work (2019) from the University of Michigan. Smith holds certifications in clinical supervision, maternal mental health, and advanced perinatal mental health psychotherapy. She is currently a Doctor of Social Work candidate at the University of Kentucky (2025).

Smith's research focuses on promoting professional and nonprofessional support networks to advance maternal health outcomes and fostering community and generational wellness. With this focus and expertise, her capstone project examines how formal and informal support networks can improve maternal mental health outcomes by embracing a collaborative independence philosophy. Her work aims to provide mothers, social workers, other professionals from a range of disciplines, community, and familial-level supports with the knowledge to know and understand how to support mothers within the scope of their unique roles to break silos and inequities.

Smith's experience as a wife, mother, and home-birther provides her with firsthand insight into motherhood. Combined with professional expertise, these experiences fuel her dedication to creating systems that ensure mothers and those connected to them thrive holistically.