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Writer's pictureNBWJI

New Mental Health Resources to Create Affirming, Responsive, and Equitable Schools



There is a need for schools to prioritize the mental health of Black girls. The mental health crisis among young people in the United States, particularly Black girls, is worsening, with high levels of persistent sadness and hopelessness exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Black children, girls, and LGBTQ+ students are disproportionately affected, with a significant increase in reported feelings of sadness and hopelessness over the past decade.


  • Suicide ranks as the second leading cause of death for U.S. children ages 10-19, with Black girls facing a particularly high risk, as evidenced by elevated rates of suicide attempts, compared to their peers.

  • Between 1991 and 2017, suicide attempts by Black youth increased, while suicide attempts among youth of other races and ethnicities decreased.

  • Suicide death rates for Black teenage girls increased by 182% from 2001 to 2017.


Unique stress factors, including disproportionate family responsibilities and discrimination based on race and gender, contribute to their heightened risk, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions and support systems tailored to Black girls’ needs and experiences.

 

Why we created the CARES Mental Health System Assessment Tool

Current school-based assessment tools do not accurately gauge the extent to which schools address Black girls’ and gender expansive young people’s mental health and wellness needs. Although existing tools recommend comprehensive school-based mental health systems (CSMHS), they do not have an intersectional lens that can respond to the unique ways that gender, race, and other identities shape young people’s mental health and help-seeking behaviors. The new Creating Affirming, Responsive, and Equitable Schools (CARES) Mental Health System Assessment Tool & Resource Workbook help schools understand how the mental health policies, practices, and programs they have in place contribute to the emotional well-being of their students, particularly Black girls, and offer a roadmap for creating a school-based mental health system responsive to all students across social identities.


Download the assessment resources


How we created CARES Mental Health System Assessment Tool

The CARES Mental Health System Assessment Tool incorporates insights from Black girls to establish comprehensive mental health systems responsive to needs of Black girls and gender-expansive youth. By prioritizing the experiences of Black girls, the CARES Mental Health System Assessment tool aids schools with implementing policies, practices, and programs that are attuned to the mental health and emotional well-being of all students. To develop the CARES Mental Health System Assessment Tool, NBWJI examined existing frameworks, interventions, and assessment tools related to school-based mental health systems. We engaged two advisory councils: one involving Black girls ages 12-19 and the other consisting of professional subject matter experts.

 

  • Youth Involvement: Over a 9-month period, the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) actively participated in discussions with the NBWJI team, sharing their experiences and providing invaluable recommendations for enhancing school policies, services, and practices. Additionally, they offered feedback on the CARES Mental Health System Assessment tool, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness.

  • Community Engagement: NBWJI conducted listening sessions with Black girls to ensure the CARES Mental Health System Assessment tool reflects critical issues facing Black girls in school. Listening session participants engaged in discussions with the NBWJI team to learn directly from Black girls about their experiences, insights, and recommendations for how schools can improve their policies and practices to best support their mental health and wellness.

  • Expert Advisors: The advisory committee of subject matter experts included Black women in school administration, mental health, and community services. They shared their professional expertise and reviewed the CARES Mental Health System Assessment Tool to ensure it meets professional standards.


Ending school pushout

The new Assessment Tool and Resource Workbook were created as part of the National Black Women's Justice Institute's CARES (Creating, Affirming, Responsive, Equitable, Schools) Initiative.  The CARES Initiative aims to end school pushout by transforming schools into the nurturing, caring, and supportive educational spaces that Black girls & gender-expansive youth and all students deserve, where they can grow and thrive. We provide schools with essential tools, resources, and training to enhance educators' awareness and commitment to policies and practices that affirm the identities of all students.


Download the assessment resources


 

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