Center for Justice Innovation’s Post

Black girls have serious unmet mental health needs—it has been called a mental health crisis “hiding in plain sight.” And for Black girls, the link between their unmet mental health needs and their involvement in the juvenile legal system is undeniable. → Adults may view Black girls with depression or mental health issues as “problems” or “troublemakers” and respond with punishment rather than affirmation and treatment. Instead of addressing the mental health needs of Black girls, Black girls are punished and criminalized. → Among girls in the juvenile legal system, 4 out of 5 girls suffer from a mental health disorder. → The majority of Black girls in the juvenile legal system have histories of trauma and mental health conditions. When unaddressed, these can lead to worse mental health and create long-term cycles of involvement in the juvenile/criminal legal system. This means that to achieve our goal of dismantling pathways to confinement for Black girls, we must commit to building and expanding the landscape of gender- and culturally affirming mental health services that recognize and affirm the specific experiences of Black girls and gender-expansive youth. Learn more with our factsheet: https://lnkd.in/gN-QVKB6 And check out these great orgs: Black Girls Smile Inc., Detroit Heals Detroit, Justice 4 Black Girls, and Therapy for Black Girls

Friends, At the recent Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Conference, mental health experts joined forces to shed light on the critical issue of mental health disparities tied to race. It's time to address the pressing concerns surrounding our Black youth in distress. A study by the George Kaiser Family Foundation revealed alarming spikes in suicide rates within specific racial and ethnic groups. This is a stark reminder of the urgent need for action. Dr. Shairi Turner, MD, MPH, Chief Health Officer at the Crisis Text Line, led the discussion, delving into the complex realm of trauma. She outlined three types: ✜ Acute Trauma: Sudden events like car accidents can have profound psychological impacts. ✜ Chronic Trauma: Ongoing abuse, such as child or sexual abuse, leaves lasting scars. ✜ Complex Trauma: Multiple layers of trauma over extended periods amplify the impact on individuals. Dr. Turner also highlighted the concept of #vicarioustrauma, where we experience and carry the emotional weight of others' traumas, leaving an "emotional residue" in its wake. What I know is, that if we work together to break down these barriers and ensure that mental health support is accessible and equitable for all. Our #Black youth deserve the chance to thrive and flourish. - Dr. Michelle Boone-Thornton 🌺 #MentalHealthMatters #EmpowerYouth #BreakingBarriers #ChangeMakers #CongressionalBlackCaucus #AwarenessMattersAcute

“Black youth experience the mental health system very differently… [and] that is in part due to anti-Black racism and implicit biases.” For many Black youth whose mental health is impacted by experiencing the trauma of racism or discrimination, far too many barriers keep them from getting the support they need. Asking for help can be hard—but getting help shouldn’t be. Support finding the right services is only a three-digit number away when you call 2-1-1. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7 in 200+ languages. #211Manitoba #HelpStartsHere#211Tuesday https://lnkd.in/dkHkrJre

https://lnkd.in/eA7A6b7G This Dec 2023 brief from the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health discusses some factors that contribute to Perinatal Mental health vulnerabilities among Black Birthers. Working with a psychotherapist specialized in #PerinatalMentalHealth can be one of the best investments in creating ease and grace in birth and postpartum. #blackbirthmatters #blackmaternalmentalhealth #perinatalhealth #birthpsychology

Speaker spotlight! Short abstract: "Access to screenings and care for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) is a considerable barrier in communities of color. Research supports that, while cultural stigma related to mental health presents an obstacle, screening measures reflective of the Black experience and a lack of accessible support within Black communities are a challenge as well. Mothers have reported feeling unsafe discussing their experiences with PMADs with healthcare providers and even family out of fear of the consequences for them and their babies. In considering facilitators for maternal mental health outcomes, social support is a powerful method of bolstering Black mothers/birthing people when they are at their most vulnerable. This presentation will call on support systems, referred to here as “communities” to know their role in supporting the mental health of birthing people and their partners. There is more to supporting families than holding the baby and to bridge the gap for Black women, communities must step up, learn and advocate for those they love." Register today! https://lnkd.in/g7KUDwkP #SpeakerSpotlight #PMADs #PerinatalHealth #MentalHealth #CommunitySupport #BlackMothers #MaternalHealth #HealthDisparities #CulturalStigma #AccessibleCare #SocialSupport #BlackCommunities #MentalHealthAwareness #HealthEquity #AdvocateForMothers #BirthingPeople #SupportSystems #MaternalMentalHealth #HealthcareBarriers

The NAHSE Indy Chapter recognizes July as Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. 🧠 According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Black Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population. They are also less likely to receive mental health treatment — only one in three Black adults who need mental health care receive it compared to 50.5% of white adults. Furthermore, there is a significant disparity in the mental health workforce: while 13.4% of the U.S. population identifies as Black or African American, only 5% of psychologists and 4% of psychiatrists are Black or African American. This underrepresentation limits access to culturally competent care for Black communities. The shortage of Black mental health professionals perpetuates disparities in care, as culturally competent providers are essential for effective treatment outcomes. #MinorityMentalHealthAwareness #NAHSEIndy

Interested to canvas thoughts and opinions on this. The mental health crisis among Black communities is a stark paradox. Research indicates that Black adults are more likely to experience mental health challenges but are the least likely to receive treatment. The reasons are multifaceted, but one glaring hurdle stands out: Cost. In navigating mental health provisions myself, I've encountered a painful irony. While seeking support from ethnic minority professionals – a choice driven by the need for understanding and cultural empathy – I was confronted with the high cost of therapy. This isn't just about pounds and pence; it's about access and equity. If poverty exacerbates mental health issues and yet the cost of therapy remains a towering barrier, how do we break this cycle? How do we ensure that mental health professionals (particularly those from minority communities) are fairly compensated without making mental health support an unaffordable luxury for those who need it most? It's a massive elephant in the room that I'd love to hear more discussion on. #MentalHealthAwareness #HealthcareEquity #EconomicInclusion

In this thought-provoking lecture, Dr. Doss will address critical issue of mental health stigma surrounding black males highlighting the unique challenges and barriers that black males face when seeking help for mental health issues, including cultural stigma, lack of access to culturally competent care, and mistrust of the healthcare system. Dr. Doss will emphasize the severe consequences of untreated mental health issues, including high rates of suicide, substance abuse, and incarceration among black males. I will argue that this is a public health crisis that demands urgent attention and action from all members of society.

Friends, Let's talk about an important issue in the mental health field: diversity in therapy! Only 4% of therapists in the U.S. are #Black or African American. Wellpoint Care Network, a nonprofit in Milwaukee, is actively working to close this gap and promote equity and healing. Mental health services should reflect the #diversity of the people they serve. Licensed therapist Lapreece Armour knows the importance of #cultural understanding and historical trauma. She believes it's crucial for clients to see reflections of themselves in their #therapists. #Faith and religion play a significant role in the Black community, and Lapreece believes they can be integrated into the mental health journey. Representation matters, and it's key to breaking down the stigma surrounding therapy in the Black community. Alex Williams, the Director of Community Engagement at Wellpoint, stresses that when therapists look like their clients, it helps open doors to mental health support. They recently hosted a panel of Black mental health professionals to create awareness and accessibility to these vital resources. We need to encourage people from all backgrounds to consider therapy as a valuable tool for handling life's challenges. It's time to break down the barriers and make mental health services accessible to everyone. Dr. Michelle Boone-Thornton The UnMasking Guru 🌺 #MentalHealthMatters #DiversityInTherapy #RepresentationMatters #WellpointCareNetwork Mental Health Foundation Mental Health America https://lnkd.in/gt4X89JT