Resources
The Black Youth Mental Health Initiative aims to provide insight and resources to support the mental health of Black youth. We invite all community members who are engaged with Black youth to participate in webinars and trainings to stay up-to-date on how to support youth.
Black Youth Mental Health Initiative: Professional Development Series
Join us for this free virtual session to learn more about the state of Black youth mental health. We will hear from Dr. Shawn Jones, Assistant Professor & Black youth mental health expert who will share more about the current state of mental health for Black children and adolescents as well as strategies and supports communities can take to support our youth. Following Dr. Jones will be a Q&A with a panel of experts.
To watch the webinar click here
Practical Steps to Support Black Youth Mental Health
Join us for this free virtual session where these questions and more will be addressed by mental health expert, Dr. Paul C. Harris!
What symptoms do you look for in a young person who might be living with mental health challenges?
What do you do and who do you tell when you are confident that a young person you know is in need of mental health support?
To watch the webinar click here
Providing Counseling to Boys and Men of Color: Culturally Sensitive Theory & Practice Services
This session will focus on the difference in boys and men of color seeking services, understand why gender is a critical determinant of mental health, explore cultural challenges acknowledging mental health, examine theories and techniques that could address other underlying issues, and review best practices to enhance the Counselor toolbox.
To watch the webinar click here
Question, Persuade, Refer: Suicide Gatekeeper Training
In 2021, suicide was among the top 9 leading causes of death for people ages 10-64. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 20-34. As we look particularly towards Black youth, suicide attempts and death by suicide are increasing faster than any other group. How can we help our fellow community members, including our Black youth who are experiencing thoughts of suicide? Join us for this free virtual training for anyone who is interested in supporting our Black youth and community members through suicide prevention. This session will focus on current trends and realities for Black youth experiencing suicidal ideation, strategies on suicide prevention including the Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) model, and discussion of policies that can support youth-serving organizations with crisis response and intervention.
Sign up to complete the training at QPR Institute
Cultivating Homeplaces For Black Girls To Be Well
From 2001-2017, actual suicide death rates for Black American girls increased 182% (Price et al., 2019). The National Black Women’s Justice Initiative (2021) declared the serious unmet mental health needs for Black girls “a mental health crisis hiding in plain sight.” In this presentation, we will shine a light on the mental health needs of Black girls by discussing risk and protective factors, prevention strategies, and intervention strategies for Black girls. Participants will leave with knowledge, skills, and resources to support Black girls’ mental health.
To watch the webinar click here
Promoting Black Student- Athletes' Holistic Wellbeing
This presentation will explore the unique experiences of Black student-athletes as they navigate the challenges of balancing athletics, academics, and identity. We will discuss the intersecting layers of their lived experiences, including race, gender, and regional backgrounds, often overshadowed by their athletic achievements. Participants will better understand the importance of promoting Black student-athletes' holistic well-being beyond the spotlight of sports success. In addition, participants will gain insights into strategies for supporting Black student-athlete's voices and fostering positive relationships among parents, coaches, and athletes.
To watch the webinar click here
Raising Black Youth: A Parent's Role in Cultivating Joy and Resilience
In the session, we will discuss:
• Nuances of raising Black youth with a focus on strategies to foster joy and resilience.
• The importance of cultivating joy as a form of resistance and resilience in the face of adversity.
• Valuable tools for parents to support their children's emotional development.
• The impacts of systemic and intergenerational trauma on mental health outcomes.
To view the webinar click here