The “national emergency in child and adolescent mental health” recently declared by the American Academy of Pediatrics has been going on for generations in the Black community, says Blu Haven’s director, Monique Harris.
Before the COVID pandemic, the suicide rate for Black youth was already alarmingly high and rising faster than any other racial or ethnic group.
Harris believes that Black children—and their caregivers—experienced a compounding mental health emergency for decades. Inequity, historical racial biases, and the dismantling of family structure all contribute to the ongoing emergency.
“More babies have been having babies over the years,” she said. “The responsibility falls on the babies to raise their babies and to do it alone.”
Kids Count reports that roughly 34 percent of households in the U.S. were headed by a single parent in 2019. In Black households, the number rises to 64 percent.
Systemic racism and mental health
Systemic racism impacts Black and Brown people in a multitude of ways both in the past and today.
While the experience of being Black in America varies, historical discrimination means that most experience some form of psychological distress. Higher rates of poverty compound the stress, making parenting in communities of color disproportionately harder.
Added to those factors is a mistrust of the medical system that has a history of dehumanizing and misunderstanding the lived Black experience. It is not surprising that asking for help is seen as foolish or weak.
However, that means that fewer Black children receive the help they need. Harris wants to see this change.
Culturally appropriate therapy builds trust
An increase in therapists of color serving Black communities is important, but so is education and awareness.
According to Harris, children need to have trust and understanding with their caregivers—to feel safe and heard. “When kids don’t have that at home, they look for it in their friends, which is not always the best thing,” she said.
Historically, the community has been a source of support when problems arise. Harris believes that although important and helpful, church and generationally distant grandparents cannot always substitute. Families need support from multiple sources. “It takes a village to raise a child,” Harris said. “We all still need each other.”
Early intervention makes a world of difference
Seeking counseling can provide a unique type of support. “Therapy is not just for when you are experiencing depression and anxiety,” Harris said.
Most children don’t receive help until their behaviors become visibly dangerous, such as a suicide attempt or they show self-harming behaviors.
Harris recalls working with a teenager who cut herself. Harris gave her client a safe place where she felt supported and understood. It was only then that she was able to open up about the trauma of molestation.
“I felt it was a victory when she cut her hair instead of herself,” said Harris.
Seek therapy before an emergency. Boundary issues, trouble learning social cues, sibling conflicts, and even difficult peer relationships are reasons to seek support. Early intervention makes a world of difference and helps build a foundation where a child learns to seek help before a problem becomes dangerously overwhelming.
Policies that increase culturally appropriate mental health resources in the Black community are part of creating a village of support that Black youth need. However, it is also important to destigmatize asking for help at the individual level.
“I don’t think there is a problem too big or too small for seeking support,” said Harris.