Unmasking the Silent Crisis: Racism's Impact on Black Youth Mental Health
In a world where we are constantly confronted with the staggering statistics of youth mental health crises, we must peel back the layers of this complex issue. Amanda Joy Calhoun's recent article in TIME, "How Racism Affects the Mental Health of Black Youth," serves as a stark reminder that some facets of this crisis remain primarily overlooked and under-addressed.
Calhoun, an Adult and Child Psychiatry resident at Yale School of Medicine, has been at the forefront of researching the profound effects of anti-Black racism on the mental well-being of Black youth. Her insightful article delves deep into the uncharted territory of medical racism, a subject that has long been omitted from the broader conversation surrounding mental health.
The Biden-Harris administration's commitment to invest $200 million in the youth mental health crisis is a welcome development. Still, it is essential to recognize that this crisis has multifaceted origins, with racism playing a pivotal role. The mental health system, as it stands today, is ill-equipped to address the unique challenges faced by Black youth.
As an education expert and founder of North Star Academics, I find it crucial to analyze Calhoun's revelations critically. The stories she shares, derived from her experiences as a child and adolescent psychiatrist, are poignant reminders of the depressive and, in some cases, suicidal consequences of racism on Black youth. These narratives expose the harsh realities faced by Black children, from kindergarten to high school, and the detrimental impact of interpersonal anti-Black racism.
However, Calhoun's article goes beyond the interpersonal realm. It reveals that the seeds of racism's mental health consequences are sown even before birth. Black mothers experience stress due to racism, which is linked to low birthweights in their infants—a risk factor for later mental health issues. The effects of prenatal anti-Black racism echo into the socio-emotional development of Black children during their first year of life, manifesting in negative emotionality.
Calhoun's article highlights the undeniable fact that Black children and adolescents have been suffering at unprecedented rates for over two decades. The alarming surge in suicide rates among Black youth, outpacing other racial and ethnic groups, is a dire concern. Black children as young as five are nearly twice as likely to commit suicide compared to their white counterparts. This rise in suicide rates is in stark contrast to most other ethnic groups, whose rates have remained stable or decreased.
The age at which anti-Black racist beliefs emerge is a profoundly unsettling revelation. Calhoun's article cites research that shows such assumptions taking root as early as age four, affecting white children's attitudes toward Black peers. The discriminatory treatment of Black children extends into schools, where they face harsher discipline, expulsion, and even arrests at alarming rates. This punitive behavior feeds into the school-to-prison pipeline, leading to higher depression rates among Black males.
Notably, the article uncovers the phenomenon of "adultification," wherein Black children are perceived as older and more mature than they are—an origin rooted in racist history. This unjust perception not only results in criminalization but also early hypersexualization of Black children. Consequently, Black children receive less emotional support, leading to increased risks of depression, stress, and suicidality.
Calhoun's article reinforces the fact that Black children's exposure to anti-Black racism is constant, with reports of experiencing racism up to five times a day on average. This exposure leads to increased suicidality and depressive symptoms, even in preadolescence and young adulthood.
Moreover, the racial wealth gap perpetuates harm to Black youth and families, contributing to their declining mental health. Surprisingly, higher socioeconomic status can be associated with more significant depressive symptoms among Black children living in predominantly white neighborhoods. Experiences of racism often outweigh the protective effects of parental education.
In light of these revelations, we must acknowledge the driving force of anti-Black racism in the Black youth mental health crisis, irrespective of socio-economic status. Urgent solutions must be tailored to the mental health treatment of Black youth. Research funding is critical to studying the impact of anti-Black racism on child mental health throughout development, particularly for young children who remain understudied and underfunded.
We must invest in anti-Black racism-conscious mental health treatment specifically designed for Black youth, staffed by clinicians with expertise in providing targeted care. Organizations like the AAKOMA Project, Therapy for Black Girls, and the National Black Child Development Institute are leading the way, but more support is needed.
Standardized medical education must also evolve to include the mental health effects of anti-Black racism, ensuring that traditionally trained psychiatrists are equipped to support Black children. Curricula addressing anti-Black racism are sparse, and efforts to educate students and residents about its impacts are slowly gaining traction.
However, education alone is insufficient; accountability is equally vital. Mental health institutions must proactively combat racism within their ranks, employing anti-racist hiring practices and holding staff accountable for racist behaviors, regardless of their standing.
The youth mental health crisis cannot truly end until the mental health of all children is secured. As an educational expert and advocate, I am resolute in my commitment to ensuring that Black children are not left behind. Facing anti-Black racism head-on is our moral imperative, and it starts with acknowledging the profound impact it has on the mental health of Black youth.
At North Star Academics, we are dedicated to fostering inclusive environments that prioritize the emotional well-being of all students, regardless of their racial or ethnic background. This commentary on Calhoun's article will serve as a call to action for schools, families, and parents to join us in this critical endeavor. We can create a more equitable and mentally healthy future for our youth.