Promoting Positive Mental Health Outcomes for Black Youth of African Descent: Applying the Family as Host Model for Culturally Responsive Practice

ABSTRACT

For Black youth of African descent and their families, the pathways to effective support and intervention for mental health are complex and challenging to navigate. Research continues to highlight the need to achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve mental health access and care of all groups. Thus, there is a need for strategies that are culturally responsive for promoting positive mental health outcomes for Black youth of African descent. In this paper, a new perspective that promotes access to non-stigmatizing, culturally responsive supports for Black youth of African descent across all socio-economic status is presented. This innovative framework for culturally responsive treatment engagement is called the Family as Host (FAH) model. This model positions Black youth and their family as primary initiators, acting as “Host” and clinical care providers as facilitators, acting as “Guest” during treatment engagement. Implications for practice and research are discussed to promote positive psychological health outcomes for Black youth of African descent.

Disclosure statement

“Udo” and his family are a composite case example of a typical adolescent/family presenting to our clinic.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.