Behavioral and Mental Health: A National Crisis Impacting Black Youth to Economic Benefits

Youth today are facing increased mental health crises. Among the most vulnerable are Black youth. In the wake of social media, televised killings of Black people at the hands of police officers, gun violence, bans on AP African American studies, and anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ laws, Black youth experience daily challenges that can lead to adverse behavioral and mental health conditions. They have unique risk factors that can onset behavioral and mental health conditions, such as the experience of racism, discrimination, poverty, health coverage disparities, and traumatic events.1

Behavioral and mental health conditions impact and influence how one learns, behaves, controls emotions, and ultimately shows up in the world.2 Access to behavioral and mental health services is vital for overall well-being. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that between 2018 and 2021, suicide rates among Black youth between the ages of 10 to 24 years old increased by 36.6 percent.3 A study that surveyed around 34,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth ages 13 to 24 throughout the United States indicated that 1 in 4 Black transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide in the past year.4 Mental health conditions have been recognized as common in society and have led to government entities taking steps to expand mental and behavioral health resources. Though policymakers, industry professionals, and society recognize the need for behavioral and mental health services, Black adults, and youth face disproportionate barriers to accessing behavioral and mental health care services.5 This policy brief explores trends linked to Black youth’s behavioral and mental health, current efforts to expand behavioral and mental health services, and ways to continue expanding services.

Background:

What is Behavioral and Mental Health?

The terms mental health and behavioral health are sometimes used interchangeably.6 However, the terms have two different definitions. Mental health concerns one’s state of mind, feelings, and thoughts and refers to an individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being.7 Mental health is housed under the umbrella of behavioral health.8 Behavioral health focuses on actions and behaviors in connection to one’s state of mind, body, and spiritual health.9 Physical symptoms that are stress-related, stressors and crises associated with daily life, mental health, and substance misuse disorders are generally referred to as behavioral health.10

Health conditions where one may notice changes in emotion, thinking, or behavior (or a combination) may be referred to as mental illnesses.11 Mental illnesses can also be linked to distress or functioning issues concerning social, work, and family activities.12 Disorders such as generalized anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression are associated with mental health.13 Disorders such as substance abuse, self-injury, and eating disorders are associated with behavioral health.14 While all mental disorders fall under behavioral health disorders, not all behavioral health issues are categorized as mental health issues.

Source: Georgians for a Healthy Future

• Depression

• Anxiety disorders

• Schizophrenia or other psychoses

• PTSD

• Attention hyperactive disorder (ADHD)

• Etc.