The Shield Her Program — Helping Mothers, Healing Minds.
Introducing the Shield Her Program: A New Model of Support for Women During Pregnancy and Pregnancy Loss
Women Speak Up announces the launch of Shield Her, a transformative support program designed to protect and empower women during pregnancy and after pregnancy loss. Built with safety, confidentiality, and compassion at its core, Shield Her addresses critical gaps in legal advocacy, digital safety, and mental health support. These are areas where women are often left without coordinated care during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Delivered primarily through a secure, fully virtual model, Shield Her offers accessible, trauma-informed support to women across the United States. The program reflects Women Speak Up’s commitment to meeting women where they are emotionally, physically, and geographically while prioritizing dignity, privacy, and choice.
Learn more about the Program: Shield Her Program
The Vulnerability of Pregnancy and the Need for Comprehensive Support
Pregnancy is a period marked by profound physical, emotional, and psychological change. Many women experience shifts in mental health, physical well-being, and emotional stability as they navigate this transition. For others, pregnancy is complicated by medical challenges, safety concerns, or the devastating experience of pregnancy loss.
Despite how common these experiences are, women are frequently expected to endure them in isolation. Reliable support, particularly support that integrates safety, legal awareness, and mental health care, is often fragmented or inaccessible. Shield Her was developed to change this reality by offering a coordinated system of care that prioritizes prevention, protection, and healing.
The Scope and Impact of Pregnancy Loss
Pregnancy loss affects millions of women worldwide. An estimated 23 million pregnancies end in loss each year, representing approximately 15 percent of all recognized pregnancies. Many losses occur early in gestation, yet their emotional and physical impacts can be long-lasting and deeply felt.
In the United States, approximately 1 in 175 pregnancies results in stillbirth, accounting for nearly 21,000 stillbirths annually. Research consistently shows that pregnancy loss can lead to prolonged grief, anxiety, and depression, especially when women lack access to appropriate mental health support. These statistics underscore the urgent need for structured, compassionate programs like Shield Her that acknowledge both the prevalence and seriousness of pregnancy loss.
What the Shield Her Program Offers
Shield Her is a multi-layered support initiative designed to address the real-world challenges women face during pregnancy and after loss.
Digital Safety Guidance
Participants receive education and practical tools to help protect their digital footprint, safeguard personal information, and navigate online spaces safely. This support is especially important during emotionally vulnerable periods, when women may be at increased risk of harassment, exposure, or privacy violations.
Legal Advocacy Support
Shield Her provides access to educational resources and referral-based legal connections that help women understand their rights, available protections, and advocacy options. While the program does not provide direct legal representation, it empowers participants with knowledge and pathways to support in challenging or unsafe situations.
Mental Health Support and Healing Circles
The program offers referral-based access to licensed mental health professionals specializing in pregnancy loss, grief, and perinatal mental health. Participants may also choose to engage in peer-led virtual support circles and healing spaces focused on emotional wellness, resilience, and connection.
How Shield Her Works
Participation in Shield Her is designed to be flexible, respectful, and centered on emotional safety.
Women may join by submitting an interest or referral-based sign-up form. Once enrolled, participants receive curated resources, program updates, and invitations to virtual sessions. Opportunities are offered based on availability, referrals, and individual needs. All participation is optional and designed to honor personal comfort levels and emotional boundaries.
For participants located near Women Speak Up home offices, limited in-person meetings may be offered in New York and New Jersey on a case-by-case basis.
Confidentiality and Safety
Confidentiality and participant safety are foundational to the Shield Her program. All virtual sessions and communications are handled with discretion, and personal information is never shared without consent. The program’s fully virtual structure allows participants to engage from a location that feels safe and comfortable to them.
Access and Eligibility
Shield Her is currently available to women located within the United States. The program is donation-supported and offers free participation opportunities based on referrals and available funding.
Getting Involved or Learning More
Women interested in participating are encouraged to complete the Shield Her Program Interest Form to share their needs. Submissions are reviewed by the Women Speak Up team, and follow-up is provided with next steps when appropriate.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about Shield Her, please reach out to our team at support@womenspeakupus.org
