Despite overall rates of suicidality among young people trending downward for the past 30 years, Black young people have experienced an increase in suicide attempts (Lindsey et al., 2019), with suicide rates among Black young people increasing 37% between 2018 and 2021 (Stone & Mack, 2023). Due to the already existing higher rates of suicide […]
Black or African American
Moving Beyond Change Efforts: Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth
Like all youth, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex youth and other sexual- and gender-diverse children and adolescents (LGBTQI+ youth) deserve to grow up in supportive environments absent stigma and discrimination that allow them to thrive and achieve their human potential.When seeking behavioral health treatment (both mental health and substance use interventions), these […]
It Takes a Village: Addressing Behavioral Health Disparities in the Black Community
In honor of Black History Month, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hosted a virtual roundtable featuring speakers with lived experience, community leaders, and practitioners to discuss behavioral health challenges in Black communities. Through personal stories and innovative programs, speakers highlighted the often untapped cultural resources that lessen the burden of disease […]
Treatment for Suicidal Ideation, Self-Harm, and Suicide Attempts Among Youth
Suicide in both adolescents and young adults has drastically increased over recent years. There are many ways to identify and approach an individual who struggles with suicidal ideation, self-harm, or attempts suicide. This guide provides current research and the effectiveness of the program in treating mental health issues in adolescents and young adults. In addition, […]
Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner’s Guide
The Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner’s Guide has just been released from the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This guide is especially helpful for individuals and organizations that manage the health and well-being of 9- 18-year-olds. The Guide, which was designed […]
Using the Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index to Drive Equitable Public Health Efforts
During public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, racial and ethnic minority groups disproportionately experience adverse outcomes like high hospitalization and mortality rates as a result of a variety of factors, including social determinants of health (SDOH). SDOH are conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide […]