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Dear Community Partners,
On June 12, Governor Stein proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth. Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African American people in the United States.
While the Juneteenth holiday comes just once a year, mental health equity is a year-round priority. Unfortunately, African Americans are disproportionately impacted by mental health concerns, due to systemic and persistent societal disparities.
African American adults are more likely than white adults to report persistent symptoms of emotional distress, but only one in three Black adults with mental illness receive treatment.
Statistics about mental health concerns for Black youth are startling. A NCDHHS report on health disparities published in September 2024 found that Black youth are more likely to attempt suicide than other racial or ethnic groups. Various sources show specific impacts:
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In 2023, Non-Hispanic Black students in grades 9 through 12 attempted suicide in the preceding 12-month period at 1.3 times the rate of Non-Hispanic White students;
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In December, the University of North Carolina published a report in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry finding that nearly 28% of Black middle school students have reported suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Mental health disparities are more than statistics; they represent real barriers that prevent thousands of Black Americans from accessing the resources and supports they deserve to ensure equitable access to mental and physical well-being. Our goal of increasing access to mental health treatment and services is crucial for populations who have historically had less access to care. That is why equity is one of the guiding principles of our strategic plan.
Today, we are proud to highlight our innovative work to support Black youth mental wellness and suicide prevention through our Stronger Together project:
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We joined 7 other states and the District of Columbia to participate in SAMHSA’s Black Youth Suicide Policy Academy, forming a cross-sector leadership team to develop innovative approaches to reduce suicide risk among Black youth.
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We developed and sought public comment on our Black Youth Suicide Prevention Action Plan, and are now reviewing that feedback. The plan addresses critical factors affecting Black youth suicide risk, such as systemic barriers to accessing care, cultural stigma around mental health, limited representation among providers and the need for culturally responsive prevention strategies and community engagement.
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We formed the NC Black Youth Wellness Advisory Council and the Black Youth Wellness Community of Practice and Education (COPE), and we are planning the Stronger Together Conference in September to promote statewide solutions for Black youth mental wellness. This conference will be held on Saturday, September 20th in Rocky Mount. Contact hannah.harms@dhhs.nc.gov for more information.
Juneteenth is both a celebration of progress and a call to action. It’s an opportunity for us to energize our efforts toward creating a future where mental health equity is a reality for all, particularly for African Americans who have faced unique challenges in accessing quality, trauma-informed care resulting from histories of marginalization and inequity.
My best,
Kelly
Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW
(she/her)
Director
Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
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