We Exist For You: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Black Youth
By: Nina Lanzillotta, Elisha Arnold, & Tessa McNaboe
Eliot, a 7th grader in Richmond, Virginia, kicked off the Black Youth Mental Health Initiative's (BYMHI) Black Joy in Community professional development series with a poignant statement – She said, "calling folks out is a skill I need to develop because suffering in silence is not good for our mental health." Her statement serves as a resounding call to action, reflecting the urgent need for mental health support for Black youth. Eliot’s speech, along with the statements of others during the event, underscored the critical need for Black youth mental health.
The Black Youth Mental Health Initiative
Acknowledging the alarming disparities in mental health outcomes and the rising prevalence of suicidal ideations among Black youth, Dr. Renae Mayes (University of Arizona), Dr. Lauren Mims (NYU), and Dr. Paul Harris were awarded a $1.2 million dollar grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH). BYMHI is a collaborative community project that unites researchers, mental health experts, school districts, teachers, and community members with the aim of informing educational policies by reimagining what mental health support looks like for Black youth. BYMHI places particular emphasis on understanding the unique experiences and challenges experienced by the Richmond, Virginia community.
The State of Black Youth Mental Health
During the first Black Joy in Community professional development event, attendees learned about the State of Black Youth Mental Health and specific resources in Richmond, VA available to support youth, as well as the caring and concerned adults who support them. This important discussion included insights from keynote speaker Dr. Shawn Jones and panelists Dr. Ram Bhagat, Dr. Erica Daniels, and Tiffany Goodman.
Sawubona
Dr. Shawn Jones, Assistant Professor of Psychology at VCU and BYMHI Advisory Board Member, presented a keynote address that provided profound insights on the psychosocial well-being of Black youth in contemporary society. First, Dr. Jones described the paradox of hypervisibility that Black youth often experience—Black youth are hypervisible in some contexts and invisible in others. For example, he highlighted an alarming statistic illustrating hyper invisibility from the Department of Education (2016): Black children are 3.6 times more likely to be suspended than white children. He also described Black children’s invisibility: Black youth are less likely to have access to essential mental health supports. Throughout his presentation, Dr. Jones emphasized the vital importance of treating each child as a unique individual and ensuring they feel fully acknowledged, appreciated, and honored in their own identity. Specifically, he drew upon the Zulu word "Sawubona," which translates to "I see you." This term captures the essence of BYMHI, underscoring BYMHI’s commitment to recognizing and acknowledging the importance of Black youth thriving in all aspects of their lives.
After, the event transitioned to a panel session with Dr. Ram Bhagat, Dr. Erica Daniels, Tiffany Goodman, and Dr. Paul Harris. Panelists shared several strategies and initiatives in Richmond, Virginia developed to support Black youth, including the creation of gun violence initiatives in schools, the establishment of spaces like wellness rooms, and opportunities to participate in restorative practices (e.g, breathwork and cultural celebrations) in and outside of school. Panelists also talked about the importance of designing interventions and supports for Black youth, as well as destigmatizing mental health discussions through transparent conversations.
Returning to Eliot’s Opening Address
However, it was Eliot, a young girl residing in Richmond, Virginia, who left the most profound impact on the webinar attendees. Her eloquent description about being a Black youth in contemporary society underscored the need for advocacy and support. In her five minute speech, Eliot highlighted the impact of race-related issues, such as learning about Breonna Taylor's death and experiencing daily racial microaggressions, on her mental health. She stated, "I think about how many things like that and worse that Black youth see on a daily basis that we just get used to seeing. Even though our bodies and our minds are taking a toll." Then, Eliot passionately implored us to act. She encouraged her peers to discuss their mental health experiences openly and advocated that everyone should go to therapy. Most importantly, she asked every adult to involve youth in events and conversations about mental health. She shared that she thinks, "young people would be more honest about how we are feeling if there are more spaces where we can talk about it."
Eliot's call to action, along with the insights from Dr. Jones and the other panelists, reminds us that we must strive to create spaces where Black children can share their experiences and be heard. Policies regarding Black youth mental health have evolved over time, shaped by newer and more profound research, and we must all stand in solidarity to nurture and support Black children’s mental health and wellbeing.