The first conference of the Black Youth Mental Health Clinical Case Conference Series was attended by over 300 clinicians, psychiatrists, healthcare workers, social workers, and students. The series is organized by Amanda Calhoun, a child psychiatry fellow and the chief resident at the Yale Child Study Center. The purpose of the series is to share and analyze case narratives relating to different mental health issues for Black youth.
Calhoun emphasized the importance of addressing the mental health crisis among Black youth, noting that suicide rates have been on the rise for over 20 years and continue to worsen. She pointed out that the mental health field is not adequately equipped to care for Black children, and there are systemic issues within the medical health system’s ability to treat Black youth with mental illnesses.
The conference series aims to promote discussions about the medical system and Black youth by organizing six case studies for medical providers and the general public. Calhoun also chose to open up the case conference series to anyone and deliver each presentation in a narrative style, contrary to traditional clinical case studies.
During the conference, Calhoun presented a narrative account of a clinical case involving a 13-year-old Black girl named Christina. The case emphasized the need to address the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of Black youth in the mental health system. Experts at the conference discussed and analyzed the case, drawing attention to medical staff mistakes and racist actions.
The history of mistreatment and misdiagnosis of Black people and children was also highlighted, dating back to the transatlantic slave trade. This historic background sheds light on the systemic issues that persist in the medical treatment of Black youth with mental illnesses.
The series aims to present cases focused on delivering higher-level care to Black youth and highlighting the diversity of Black culture. Those interested can sign up to attend one of the next conferences. The series seeks to address the urgent need for improved mental health care for Black youth and spark meaningful conversations within the medical community and beyond.
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