African American youth who face mental health problems

Abstract

The current study, “The role of social workers in minimizing social stigma among African American youth who face mental health problems,” focuses on the awareness and support from social workers so that judgment and stigmatization from peers and society for African American youth could be reduced. It is hypothesized that African American youth need a safe place for long-term intervention without the stigma that might create adverse effects as they have already been victims of racial discrimination. African American children are at a high risk of adverse psychological health and face social stigma. In every 5 African American youths in the US, one suffers from this issue; fewer seek treatment. Therefore, the topic is important as the government, social workers, parents, teachers and the entire community must be accountable for the better future of youth’s mental health who are prime contributors to a country’s economic wheel rather than becoming a future economic burden. The research method used for this purpose is the literature review, Biblical perspectives, and personal narrative/reflection better to interpret African American youth’s mental health problems. The results show that social workers face several challenges national racism, equal promotion of long and productive lives for US citizens, and closing the health access gap.