While the riots on Capitol Hill took place over a month ago, many Black Americans have seen an impact on their mental health, claiming it has been inherently traumatic. In the video below, Dr. Sarah Vinson speaks with Cheddar’s News Wrap anchor to discuss how this event.
Source: cheddar.com
Since last year’s heightened racial tensions, a number of people have made a conscious effort to take a closer look at the many ways racial injustice has penetrated our culture. In honor of Black History Month, Doctor Radio on SiriusXM presented a day-long special, The Impact of Race on Health, Sickness, and Survival, to discuss disparities within various specialties of the healthcare industry.
To highlight racial and ethic disparities in pediatric mental health, Dr. Sarah Vinson joined Dr. Jessica Isom from Yale University School of Medicine during the About Our Kids portion of this 24-hour event.
During their segment, Dr.Vinson and Dr. Isom discussed the following --
Racism as a public health problem
How to discuss trauma with your Black children
The mental health impacts of COVID-19 on the African American community
Ways to help children and teens who may be struggling with mental health issues
To locate this episode or listen to Doctor Radio, click here.
Dr. Sarah Vinson was recently appointed to Georgia’s State Advisory Group through the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) by Governor Brian P. Kemp. Established under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), appointees play an important role in The Coalition's mission and are tasked with monitoring and supporting its four core requirements:
Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders (DSO)
Adult Jail and Lock-up Removal
Sight and Sound Separation
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Members of the State Advisory Groups will also receive specialized training and technical assistance on unconventional practices in juvenile justice to help aid CJJ’s mission.
To learn more about SAGs, click here.
About the Coalition for Juvenile Justice
The Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) is a nationwide coalition of State Advisory Groups (SAGs), organizations, individuals, youth, and allies dedicated to preventing children and youth from becoming involved in the courts and upholding the highest standards of care when youth are charged with wrongdoing and enter the justice system. CJJ envisions a nation where fewer children are at risk of delinquency; and if they are at risk or involved with the justice system, they and their families receive every possible opportunity to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
About Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA)
JJDPA is based on a broad consensus that children, youth, and families involved with the juvenile and criminal courts should be guarded by federal standards for care and custody, while also upholding the interests of community safety and the prevention of victimization. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) provides for: A nationwide juvenile justice planning and advisory system spanning all states, territories, and the District of Columbia; Federal funding for delinquency prevention and improvements in state and local juvenile justice programs and practices; and The operation of a federal agency, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, which is dedicated to training, technical assistance, model programs, and research and evaluation, to support state and local efforts.
While there is evidence suggesting there has been and increase in suicidal thoughts among adolescents since the start of the pandemic, experts cannot yet confirm this issue is worse than usual. Although confirming data has not been released by the Center for Disease Control or any other comparable agency, parents and field experts are looking for ways to help this usually vulnerable population.
In her article, “How to Help When Adolescents Have Suicidal Thoughts” for The New York Times, Dr. Perry Klass discussed ways parents can help their children navigate the pandemic and how to determine or what to do when a child is at risk or experiencing a mental health issue. Some of the advice offered by interviewed experts include:
Parents and adults who work with adolescents should pay closer attention to their wellbeing during this time.
Think about the different ways adolescents might respond to stress. Are they withdrawing and sleeping more; eating more or less; or trying drugs, alcohol or tobacco?
Encourage teenagers to get out of the house and to use the right safety measures — masks, hand-washing, distancing.
Take care of your own mental health before you try to fix your child’s mental health.
Among these professional Dr. Sarah Vinson also lends her expertise to readers here:
Giving kids a sense of agency is also vital, said Dr. Sarah Vinson, an associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Morehouse School of Medicine. “Think how kids can be part of the solution,” she said, whether that’s encouraging them to do volunteer work, or helping them understand that concrete steps, like wearing masks, can play a vital role in “reclaiming our day-to-day lives from this pandemic.”
About The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center
A national, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that combines the power of a membership association, representing state officials in all three branches of government, with policy and research expertise to develop strategies that increase public safety and strengthen communities.