Contributing Factors and Trends in Mental Health Outcomes for Black Youth/Young People

Mental health conditions such as anxiety disorder, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and eating disorders are common among adolescents.15 According to the World Health Organization, the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents are associated with depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders.16 In reference to the 2021 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory Report, Black youth were considered a group at higher risk for mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, and depression due to the Covid-19 pandemic.17 During the pandemic, Black youth, compared to other youth, were more likely to experience a loss of a parent or caregiver to Covid-19.18 The loss of a parent or caregiver is a factor that can continuously impact a person’s mental and behavioral health. The report drew attention to other factors that could contribute to Black youth’s mental health, such as the deaths of Black people killed by law enforcement officers, including George Floyd’s death.19 The risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases for over 25 percent of Black youth exposed to violence.20 The report also mentioned gun violence, polarized politics, and climate change as contributing factors to young people’s mental health.21

In 2021, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted an Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES) of U.S. high school students. The survey revealed that racism is a threat to public health and impacts youth’s mental health.22 The survey also indicated that students experiencing the highest levels of racism were Black, Asian, and Multiracial students.23 Students experiencing racism were more likely to encounter poor mental health conditions. Daily disturbances such as poverty and hunger also play a role in a young person’s mental and behavioral health.24 Reports showed that Black students were more likely to go hungry during the Covid-19 pandemic.25

Serious mental conditions increased between 2008 to 2018 within the Black community amongst all ages.26 Between 2015 and 2018, major depression increased in Black youth ranging from 12 to 25 years of age.27 Black youth are dying at alarming rates due to poor mental and behavioral health conditions. Death rates linked to suicide are increasing faster among Black youth than other racial/ethnic groups.28 Suicide rates among Black youth ages 10–19 increased 78 percent throughout the years 2000–2020.29

Source: Pediatrics Nationwide published by Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Being a young Black person who identifies as LGBTQ+ can put an individual at a greater risk of experiencing serious mental and behavioral health conditions. The CDC’s Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey showed that LGBTQ+ youth disproportionately experience suicidal behaviors and poor mental health conditions.30 Studies show evidence of higher rates of suicidal-related behaviors within the transgender and nonbinary community of young people but considering the intersection of being a young Black person and identifying as transgender or nonbinary, this population may be more open to undesirable experiences and chronic stress due to the intersectional marginalized social statuses.31

Barriers to Black youth accessing behavioral and mental health services also serve as a contributing factor to behavioral and mental health outcomes. Stigma, cost, lack of cultural care, shortages of industry professionals, systemic issues, and going undiagnosed are just some of the barriers Black youth face when accessing health care.32 Though Black youth might be more likely to experience higher rates of depressive mood disorders, they are less likely to use resources for mental health due to these barriers.33