Mental Health Adolescent and School Health

Youth, families, schools and other mainstream organizations have a culturally appropriate resource they turn to for related support. The BYH approach brings innovative, professional, culturally relevant perspectives to understanding and addressing the root causes of challenges faced by children, youth and families. There was a significant mental health burden for Black adolescents in the sample, both those receiving treatment and those without treatment. Though this study contributes significantly to the literature on mental health among Black adolescents, there are limitations that should be acknowledged. With the numbers of Black adolescents who have sub-clinical symptom presentations, it is possible that current assessment tools do not adequately capture the language and manifestation of their mental health symptoms/experiences (e.g. depression manifesting as anger and not sadness; Jones et al., 2020). Because untreated mental health problems in adolescence can have serious repercussions for a youth’s life trajectory, these findings are important for promoting the health equity of Black adolescents.

Building supportive relationships with young people

While White children with behavioral problems are often diagnosed with mood disorders, Black children with the same behaviors are seen as disruptive. The study sponsors had no role in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of the data, nor the writing of the report or decisions related to submission of the manuscript. Dr. Opara, Dr. Lanier, Dr. Carter, and Dr. Brawner received partial funding support from a National Institute of Mental Health education https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2022/07/21/july-is-national-minority-mental-health-awareness-month/ grant (R25-MH087217). Dr. Opara is supported with funding from the National Institutes of Health, Office of the Director (1DP5OD029636).

• A 2020 Georgetown study found that Black girls as young as five and as old as 19, were viewed to be more knowledgeable about sex and less in need of nurturing and protection than their white female peers.
• Qualitative studies have been used to understand and detail youth support programming within predominantly Black churches, including mentorship initiatives (Barrett et al., 2010; Jordan & Wilson, 2017; Parker et al., 2020).
• Schools are one of the most effective environments for early intervention, because that is where young people spend a majority of their time.
• Community-building is a strong, well-established method for suicide prevention and improving youth mental health.
• As the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s clear that the last few years have impacted young people in unprecedented ways.

This is the story of Molock’s long march toward demonstrating the need for mental health programs targeted specifically to young Black Americans. When she was training at the Howard University hospital, she saw Black patients who attempted suicide. She had counseled children with suicidal ideas at her private practice. Many interventions for young people have failed to produce results, leaving experts in the field wondering where to go from here. America’s young Black people are struggling more than most. Reports of loneliness and harmful thoughts among adolescents have risen substantially.

The Role Of Mothers In Youth Violence Prevention

It also puts them at greater risk of being funneled into juvenile detention system, a racist phenomenon known as the school-to-prison pipeline, and is linked to higher rates of depression in Black males. Although sometimes overlooked, Black girls are not spared, receiving harsher school discipline compared to white girls. Black preschoolers, especially Black boys, are significantly more likely to be expelled than white peers.

Our vision is a community where individuals, families, and organizations maintain positive mental health and access appropriate services for mental illness. Minds Connected is an online resource focused on improving access to mental health supports and services here in Lambton County. From downloading a resource and holding an assembly, to organising a fundraiser and spreading the word, your support helped raise vital funds for children and young people.