Mental health burden among Black adolescents: the need for better assessment, diagnosis and treatment engagement

ABSTRACT

This study examines mental health symptoms among Black adolescents who were currently in mental health treatment and those who were not in treatment. The study uses a sample of Black adolescents (N= 154) and logistic regression was performed to determine which psychological factors were associated with exhibiting mental health symptoms. Both groups experienced high amounts of trauma exposure history, recent suicidality, substance use, and depressive symptoms. Nearly one in four adolescents in the out of treatment group met diagnostic criteria for anxiety disorders. Implications include better screening for mental health symptoms to ensure Black adolescent have access to mental health treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Black adolescents
• mental health
• urban youth
• treatment

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest related to this study. The study sponsors had no role in the study design, collection, analysis, or interpretation of the data, nor the writing of the report or decisions related to submission of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Minority AIDS Research Initiative) grant # U01PS003304 awarded to Dr. Brawner. Dr. Weissinger received support from the Hillman Scholars Program in Nursing Innovation, the Jonas Nurse Leader Program and a Predoctoral Fellowship through the T-32 on Vulnerable Women, Children and Families (NR007100). Dr. Opara is supported with funding from the National Institutes of Health, Office of the Director (1DP5OD029636). Dr. Opara, Dr. Lanier, Dr. Carter, and Dr. Brawner received partial funding support from a National Institute of Mental Health education grant (R25-MH087217).