California State Department of Education
1430 N Street
Sacramento California
95814
“our mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal success” Dept of Education mission statement
Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am writing on behalf of my community which has a growing concern occurring in urban school settings, namely a total lack of mental health outreach support. As a member of this community I want to make you all aware of what has caused many parents concern. There is an extremely high rate of suicide amongst black adolescence between the ages of 10-16 years of age. Most, if not all of these children have been a student at one time or another in our state. So, it begs to question how can it be possible when the mission statement above ensures achievement, excellence and preparation?
Research shows black females aged 13-19 rose to 182 percent between 2001 and 2007, while the rate among black teen males rose 60 percent, during that same period CDC 2019. The study supports that black teens might be the most vulnerable of all groups. Conversely, more black adolescence are attempting suicide more than ever before.
Resiliency studies of black adolescence 1969 from researchers of old (John bowlby and Mary Ainsworth) suggested after six weeks of observation of black children in urban suppressive areas that they were immune to the motive and therefore are deemed resilient. The study alone indicates that although these children are exposed daily to poverty, violence, displacement, adult caregiver imprisoned, not enough nutrition and so on implies there is not a need for services.
A study from 1987 Franks et al, stated that black adolescence survive well and have lower rates of suicide than their white counterparts. The message here has a presentation of, “therefore black adolescence do not require further review because they are okay.” In contrast, Journal of Pediatrics study 2017 found, “suicide attempt rates for adolescences decreased in every ethnic group except for African Americans. So now we are seeing a stronger, significant increase not only for males but also for black females.”
To round out the previous studies during early mental health from the 19th century when blacks were assessed by physicians such as Dr. Samuel Cartwright it was believed that, “ in most of the cases (Drapetomania), the induction of the negro to run away from service, is as much a disease of the mind as any other species of mental alienation, and much more curable, as a general rule, Diseases & Peculiarities of the Negro Race.”
Based on the current data black children are noted to have a higher degree of hopelessness, lack access to mental health care, distrust of mental health service providers, and historically the stigma around having mental health issues has created a barrier to success. It is likely that this population is dealing with increased trauma that is not being addressed. Overall, black females tend to have greater social support versus black males. However, the fact that the numbers for black females has risen significantly may indicate they have lost their necessary support system. It is worth noting, female bullying plays a part in mental health decline. All to often bullying is assigned to males. Females generally employ isolative tactics, gossiping and threats. Adolescence dealing with bullying while attending school find themselves unwilling to want to be at school. At times, many of these children prefer to “ditch” because the feeling is they are powerless against their circumstances. According to Dr. Lindsey’s research there seems to be a “connection between the loss of church attendance and fewer adult caregivers which can cause suicidal ideation which can then lead to other harmful outcomes. Additionally, research shows that girls exhibit more interpersonal stress from social media usage and cyberbullying.” Adolescent males are not excluded from bullying, but it is usually done in a way to emasculate him. Nonetheless, when implemented he feels forced to retaliate. Most often the retaliation ranges from aggressive tactics toward the offender. The media has reported multiple accounts of black adolescent males who used weapons to eliminate their problem(s). He too, will implore self-harming rituals i.e. substance use, suicide attempts, and joining gangs, NIMH 2019.
James Price professor emeritus of health education research says, “there are far more African Americans adolescents attempting suicide than has been recognized in the past, and their attempts are starting to be much more lethal.” In 2015 to 2017 52% of black teen males who died from suicide used firearms, a method with a fatality rate of nearly 90% another 34% used strangulation or suffocation. Among the 204 black teen females who died by suicide from 2015 to 2017, 56% used strangulation or suffocation and 21% used firearms, Journal of Community Health 2018. In self-report measures these adolescents were found to report their attempts were two or more times, but they did not really want to die. Most admitted they did not have a caregiver they felt were interested in their problems or caregivers were stressed and were considered unapproachable. Also, the stigma of attending treatment continues to be an issue. There has been a wide held belief in the black communities that mental health problems are assigned to other groups. Often, according to the adolescent male if a problem was attempted to be brought up to a parent(s) he is usually told that there is nothing wrong with him or since he is young, he does not have any problems. Other aspects are the shame associated with being unable to problem solve, and confusion as to how to access support.
Parents too are at a loss as to how to prevent the above. Generally, these parents are struggling with unresolved mental health issues they do not admit having or believe their symptoms are attributed to the “blues” whatever the case may be they are not equipped to help. At best the caregivers can remove harmful items i.e. firearms, knives and instruments that cause strangulation.
Recently, I contacted the Los Angeles Unified School District and asked about mental health services and providers. It was reported that most schools “in those areas” do not have providers nor do they offer other forms of mental health support. When asked why the responses ranged from budgetary to lack of interest by the student body. It is expected that parents provide health insurance and can then access support through those services. The few secondary schools that did offer counseling by a licensed therapist were scheduled out three months.
In closing, the indication is clear there is a critical need for mental health services and providers in schools. Perhaps if the cause is addressed this will eliminate or significantly reduce the affect. We will never know if this epidemic can be cured if we are not assisted in this endeavor. We are expecting you to hear us and to help us save our children in these communities. As a suggestion, there are agencies geared toward therapists in training who can come into the schools to provide outreach services which can provide educational tools which can be used in the home, also individual and family therapy services can be provided. However, a parent cannot create the contact for services it must come from a place of authority such as your governing body. We seek only what your mission statement implies. Thank you for your time. We are anxiously awaiting your reply.
Respectfully submitted,
Mr. Cammar Lewis
Cj Blogs 