Growing national concern about the increase in Black youth's suicide rates has led to calls for closer examinations of disparities in young people's mental health outcomes and their underlying causes, including differences in access to healthcare and willingness to use mental health services, and systemic inequities. The present research brief answers this call through a critical analysis of racial discrimination and other adverse mechanisms that perpetuate negative mental health outcomes for Black youth. Our approach draws from principles of developmental psychology and intersectional theory. We begin by arguing for a biopsychosocial consideration of the effects of discrimination on Black youth's development. Then, we review the multilevel impact of racism on mental health outcomes. Although examining global patterns for Black youth as a group has value, our paper will instead focus on within-group differences and the intersecting social factors that shape them. Finally, we end with research-based proposals for policies that prioritize Black youth's well-being.

The COVID-19 pandemic has unmasked a deeply flawed research funding system riddled by inequitable policies, biased evaluations, and a lack of transparency and accountability. While most scientists were affected by the pandemic to some extent, evidence shows that women with caregiving responsibilities were disproportionately impacted, with long-term effects on their careers. However, despite calls for change by scientists globally, whose careers depend largely on funding success, decision-makers have made little to no effort to reform a funding system that marginalises a large proportion of researchers, including women, and especially mothers. Here, we propose a set of specific and actionable policies to promote inclusion of caregivers and close the gender gap in research funding.