Finally, advocating for increased insurance reimbursement that supports the comprehensive care we propose in this article is critical to the sustainability of the multitiered work required to care for the entire individual.56 The use of technology has been presented as a way to improve coordination of care and thereby resolution of some of the time constraints that impede providers from optimizing care coordination, but more research is needed to delineate its use to facilitate more comprehensive services. In addition to increased representation, the training clinicians receive needs to be culturally responsive and aligned with the 3 standards of practice outlined here so that clinicians are prepared to address the needs of Black youths. In this section, we discuss how redefined public health professionals can be trained and mentored to operate and advocate within these different ecological systems in ways that may have significant positive effects on mental health outcomes among Black youths.
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These initiatives aim to foster supportive relationships, cultural pride, and community engagement, all of which can promote resilience and prevent mental health challenges in Black youth. For instance, The Steve Fund provides mental health resources specifically designed for young people of color, while National CARES Mentoring Movement provides mentorship programs for at-risk Black youth. To further empower Black youth, it is crucial to raise awareness about mental health challenges they face and promote culturally responsive, evidence-based interventions. Additionally, mental health resources and services should be advertised and made more accessible to the Black community.
Fortunately, there are a range of nonprofit, community-based organizations working literally around the clock to give them the support and emotional tools to work through their troubles. Therapy provides a safe space for Black youth to process and explore the impact of racial trauma, discrimination, and microaggressions on their mental health. First, find a therapist who is culturally competent and can better understand the unique cultural context, experiences, and challenges that Black youth may face.
- WEL guides students (13+) through evidence-based content offering practical skills to improve mental health and resilience.
- HAVEN Connect inspired her to lean on kinship, on her relationships with other people, to navigate difficult moments.
- The researchers will also assess whether participants say they have stronger bonds with their peers and can better regulate their emotions, and whether they take advantage of clinical services more as time passes.
- “The partnership with this extraordinary group of young people has intentionally centered youth voices and experiences, which has led to this rare and exciting opportunity to elevate and implement policy solutions developed by and for young people.”
- We believe this will shift what is normative practice in our varied fields for the betterment of service to Black youths and families and, thereby, all.
Guided conversation for parents – addressing a racially charged encounter. Text STEVE to to access a culturally trained Crisis Text line counselor. Dive into their knowledge center – a wealth of articles, expert insights and practical tips covering a broad range of mental health topics. Heart Space – a monthly, online and in-person healing circle and emotional skills building space for Black people looking to learn and grow in their own healing.
Adolescents
There is a deep-rooted mistrust of the healthcare system in the Black community, stemming from years of mistreatment within the industry. A recent study published in JAMA Network Open examined how Black adolescents who have experienced racial discrimination process their response. It’s an indicator that urgent measures are needed to improve the quality of and access to mental healthcare for Black youth. Of course, combatting racism and allowing Black children to be children is another incredibly important way to support their mental health.
Training the SOS mentors to employ problem-focused mentorship by using evidence-based National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month strategies, as recommended by Cavell et al. (2021), helped the mentors address social–emotional and behavioral challenges that impacted the mentees’ academic functioning. These findings align with other scholarship highlighting that partnerships with predominantly Black churches can help Black families access mental health support, especially when issues of trust arise (Dempsey, 2016; Hays, 2015). Considering that participants in the current study reported learning about mental and behavioral health strategies for the first time through the SOS program, mentors may have addressed unmet needs among the youth. As shown in Table 2, and as conveyed by the parents of these youth in Parker et al. (2024b), most families accessed the program through the church because they trusted the church community.