Understandings of mental health and support for Black male adolescents living in the UK

An exploration in to how young-people from ethnic-minority backgrounds interact with online counselling

“…This is the opposite for YP from White backgrounds as results indicate more referrals through the GP and CAMHS compared to Google. This finding is supported by the literature which indicates that YP from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to access formal support through services such as GPs in comparison to their White counterparts (Meechan et al, 2021;Moller et al, 2016). The findings of this study therefore add further evidence-based support to the provision of school-based services which aim to not only provide in person support but also raise awareness of external services such as Kooth.…”

“…Despite the provision of online counselling facilitating accessibility for YP who may otherwise struggle to access appropriate support, there is limited research on how children from ethnic minority backgrounds interact with online counselling. This is particularly concerning given that research indicates mental health inequalities exist among ethnic minority populations such as a higher risk of developing mental health issues than their ethnic majority counterparts (Vahdaninia et al , 2020; Jongsma et al , 2019; Meechan et al , 2021). Furthermore, research focussing on YP suggests that children from ethnic minority backgrounds have higher rates of exposure to trauma partially due to racial inequality and discrimination (Turner et al , 2010; Meechan et al , 2021; Memon et al , 2016).…”

“…This is particularly concerning given that research indicates mental health inequalities exist among ethnic minority populations such as a higher risk of developing mental health issues than their ethnic majority counterparts (Vahdaninia et al , 2020; Jongsma et al , 2019; Meechan et al , 2021). Furthermore, research focussing on YP suggests that children from ethnic minority backgrounds have higher rates of exposure to trauma partially due to racial inequality and discrimination (Turner et al , 2010; Meechan et al , 2021; Memon et al , 2016). Gutman et al (2015) posit that Black, African and Caribbean boys are more likely to suffer with diagnosable mental health conditions than their White counterparts; however, they may be reluctant to seek help for reasons such as perceived racism.…”

“…psychologists CAMHS and general practitioners as well as reaching out for informal help in the form of speaking to friends, family members and peers. Research has suggested that children and adults from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to access formal support, and this can be seen in people from Black, African and Caribbean people backgrounds (Meechan et al , 2021; Mosher et al , 2006) as well as those from a South-Asian background (Moller et al , 2016; Soorkia et al , 2011). Nevertheless, there is some research to suggest that YP from ethnic minority backgrounds may be more open to accessing formal support in comparison to older generations, and this has been linked to the de-stigmatisation of mental health through strategies such as increased access to professionals that represent them and having role models in the media (Dillman Carpentier and Parrott, 2016; Francis, 2018).…”

Insights Into Needs and Preferences for Mental Health Support on Social Media and Through Mobile Apps Among Black Male University Students: Exploratory Qualitative Study

“…Social media is widely accessible, reaching individuals who are typically underserved and providing an outlet for these individuals to engage with mental health promotion materials and resources to increase mental health awareness [ 29 ]. Given the stigma surrounding traditional avenues of mental health discussion and treatment in the Black male community, social media–based mental health support may represent an initial, more accessible form of treatment to reach college-aged Black men as well as a means of normalizing conversations around mental health [ 80 , 81 ].…”