This blog post will describe a Multi-Level Public Health Resilience-Building Intervention program focused on targeting BIPOC Youth Mental Health. Utilizing Social Ecological Model (SEM) prevention framework to craft interventions addressing mental health disparities and access to treatment for Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) youth populations (CDC, 2022).
Mental health does not discriminate and is currently affecting BIPOC youth, according to Mental Health America 1 in 5 children will be affected with a mental illness in their lifetime (Mental Health America, 2022). 10.6 % of youth suffer major depression (NAMI, 2022). Current factors disproportionately affecting BIPOC communities involve mental health stigma, systematic racism and discrimination, limited access to quality care, and lack of cultural competent providers (Office of Minority Health, 2022).
Currently in the state of Florida, 11k youth have been untreated, there are 1,343 Floridians on waiting list for services, and 3,567 lives were lost due to suicide (NAMI, 2022). Children's Mental Health was declared a pandemic crisis, according to Advent Health Hospital more than 300 children were hospitalized following a suicide attempt or other self-harm event (Paschall-Brown, 2022). BIPOC Youth in Florida, especially black, are treated more harshly involving school discipline and juvenile justice systems (NAMI, 2022). Over 25% of Black youth exposed to violence are at high risk for (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) (NAMI, 2022).
A description of of the preventative and intervention approach at each level of the CDC Social Ecological Model (SEM) is outlined below.
Individual Level: Social-ecological influences affecting BIPOC youth populations access to mental health services involve the individuals’ personal beliefs and perceptions about accessing mental health providers or additional support services. Due to the stigma, oftentimes BIPOC populations (youth or parents) may go untreated and although there are preventative support systems in place the individual may internalize feelings of fear, shame or guilt and neglect instead of seeking help or resources (Mental Health America, 2022). When an individual (youth or parent of youth) experiences a traumatic life experience, significant loss, life change or any event that affects their mental health oftentimes priority is focused on basic needs such as food/shelter and physical health therefore neglecting mental health (CDC, 2022). Preventative strategies involve educating the individual on mental health and the diverse treatment options available that could improve their symptoms and overall health.
Relationship Level: Family and peers contribute to behavior change for BIPOC (youth) populations, their beliefs and judgements about mental health services affect population on the interpersonal/relationship level (Mental Health America, 2022). Since family and friends are typically the strongest support systems for BIPOC communities, how family/friends view mental health impacts on whether an individual will seek support and guidance on ways to access mental health treatment options or support services (CDC, 2022). BIPOC communities value relations and care about family opinion, when the services are stigmatized by parents, family, peers or there is disbelief that the service will even improve any health change then there may be more resistance to seeking the service despite professional referrals/recommendations (CDC, 2022). Preventative strategies involve creating spaces for parent, family involvement and education with further advocacy and health promotion.
Community Level: Community influences for BIPOC Mental health will involve creating safe spaces where there is open and accessible environment where mental health concerns, services, and treatment can be attainable and discussed (CDC, 2022). The BIPOC Youth Mental Health marketing campaign and infographic builds awareness and advocacy to reach community and establish a social support network to do psychoeducation, provide peer insight/support, get feedback from experts in the field, and offer further awareness of resources and treatment options accessible to population. Preventative strategies involve creating a social support network to the local community, encouraging engagement from schools, neighborhoods, BIPOC community centers or businesses.
Societal Level: Social policies to help increase access to mental health services for BIPOC communities would involve lobbying for insurance premiums to cover mental health treatment services and make care more accessible (Mental Health America, 2022). Funding mental health programs serving BIPOC youth and communities for preventative strategies mentioned where community and family support systems are involved with the healing process. Overall, improving public health policies affecting youth mental health (Psychiatry, 2022). Preventative strategies involve advocating for further funding of mental health programs to educate providers, caregivers, and communities involved with serving BIPOC communities.
References:
BIPOC mental health trends and disparities. Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. (2022, April 21). Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://adaa.org/learn-from-us...al-health-trends-and
Bipoc Mental Health. Mental Health America. (n.d.). Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://mhanational.org/bipoc-mental-health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, January 18). The social-ecological model: A framework for prevention |violence prevention|injury Center|CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/violencepr...ecologicalmodel.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 3). Data and statistics on children's Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/data.html
Florida's mental-health epidemic reaches Crisis Point. Your NAMI Affiliate. (n.d.). Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://namigo.org/floridas-me...eaches-crisis-point/
Mental health disparities: Diverse populations - psychiatry.org. (n.d.). Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.psychiatry.org/Fil...erse-Populations.pdf
Mental health in Florida - FBHA. (n.d.). Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.floridabha.org/wp-...H_in_FL_brochure.pdf
Nami Orange County. NAMI Orange County. (n.d.). Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.namioc.org/
Social Determinants of Health. Social Determinants of Health - Healthy People 2030. (n.d.). Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://health.gov/healthypeop...-determinants-health
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