Using data from the MCS, one study examined composite mental health scores among 3-year-olds, finding that Indian and Pakistani/Bangladeshi (aggregated group) children had significantly more mental health problems than white children, while Black African children had fewer problems (Platt, 2012). Growth curve modeling revealed that ethnic minority children followed different developmental trajectories of internalizing and externalizing problems than white children, either in terms of the mean-level and/or rate of change across age. However, less is known about the development of mental health problems in ethnic minority children, particularly at the population level. Although psychiatric hospitals began in the Middle East in the first century, today mental health services in many Middle Eastern countries operate below-accepted standards. Since this data was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health risks and the difficulty of accessing services have grown even greater for all these groups. A systematic literature review was conducted to examine SAFE Project Latinx mental health resources the evidence for interventions that can improve their engagement with mental health services.
- The study was approved by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) at the University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, and the School District of Philadelphia.
- Minority mental health refers to the unique needs, stressors, and barriers to care faced by diverse communities.
- Youth peer providers (or peer specialists) have been found to possess unique knowledge and expertise based on lived experience in combination with training that supports skills such as strategic disclosure (Simmons et al. 2020).
Mental Freeze: Causes, Symptoms, and Strategies to Overcome Brain Fog
Using data on adolescent mental health care collected between 2022 and 2023 by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the researchers analyzed mental health services usage and outcomes among 23,541 teens ages 12-17. Finally, this study was conducted in a district that had Wellness Centers with mental health services on campus, resources that may not be available in other districts. SBHCs have the potential to not only improve access to needed mental health services, but also raise awareness and improve education about the impact of mental health on educational and social outcomes. This is consistent with findings that adolescents often have poor mental health literacy that can impede care, and further illustrates the need for helping youth learn more about mental health.34 There are several approaches that can improve mental health literacy and awareness through a school-wide approach.
Through this Research Topic, we hope to bring to light the recent literature on the mental health of adolescents and young persons from minorities and how to cater mental health services to the special needs of this population. Mental health stigma among minorities, lack of insurance, lack of culturally competent care providers and language barriers have all been described as potential barriers for young persons from minorities to seek mental health services (4). In addition, we must (1) create safe and supportive climates (ie, school and community) by implementing culturally responsive and trauma-informed policies and practices; (2) systematically and routinely screen children for mental health challenges and risk factors, including adverse childhood experiences; and (3) consider ways to identify and provide additional supports for young people at elevated risk for stress or trauma, such as those experiencing the loss of a loved one or food or financial insecurity. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health challenges were the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes among young people, with up to 1 in 5 children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years in the United States having a reported mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder.1 Many mental health challenges first emerge early in life, and studies suggest that the average delay between the onset of mental health symptoms and treatment is 11 years.2,3
The Impact of Developmental Trauma in Communities of Color During the Pandemic
According to the American Psychiatric Association, more than 50 percent of all Americans will be part of a minority group (one other than non-Hispanic White) by 2044. Ten studies met inclusion criteria. If your child needs therapy, consider seeking a culturally competent therapist equipped to address their mental health concerns about their identity. Try to encourage seeking outside help and, if possible, destigmatize the idea of seeking therapy and treatment. When speaking with your child, try to be empathetic and reinforce that their feelings aren’t their fault and that there’s nothing wrong with experiencing negative mental health symptoms.
This systematic review synthesizes recent evidence on barriers and facilitators of mental health service use among racial/ethnic minority adolescents in the U.S. Lastly, one study with African American families found that adolescents of parents with moderate spiritual or religious coping were most likely to have used mental health services (30). In another study with an urban sample of African American families, children of parents with moderate cultural pride reinforcement were least likely to have used mental health services (30). In one study, for example, Kim et al. (34) found Latino/a children with less acculturated caregivers were more likely to terminate mental health service whereas those with highly acculturated caregivers were more likely to not show up for services. As noted in six studies, having insurance—regardless of specific types (i.e., public or private insurance)—significantly increased adolescents’ likelihood of using emergency services (29, 38, 48), school-based services (39), counseling (47), or any type of service (45).
Being young can be hard enough as is — grades, hormones, and life choices can impact the mental health of any child. Our findings point to varied experiences among SGM youth with diverse identities, as well as distinct experiences for SM and GM youth, suggesting tailored intervention and prevention approaches for each group. At the same time, research seldomly differentiates between gender minority (GM) and sexual minority (SM) experiences.
Overall, the literature shows that individuals in racial-ethnic minority groups also receive less-than-optimal care in the following ways. Stigma or negative ideas about mental health care may also prevent people from seeking services.” (source) Several other healthcare disparities may reduce access to the pathways to mental health care. However, the review also states that mental health services may increase usage if they are more culturally competent. This means that mental health was not explored in late adolescence or early adulthood, a time at which ethnic minority disadvantages may reappear or become exacerbated by prolonged exposure to adversity and discrimination in places of study and work (Benner et al., 2018; Wallace et al., 2016).
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