Religion Shapes Mental Health Help-Seeking in Black Teens
Publication Title: Faith and access: The role of religion in formal mental health service utilization among Black adolescents
Summary
- Question
- This study explored the role of religion in influencing mental health service utilization among Black adolescents. The researchers aimed to understand whether religious affiliation affects the likelihood of seeking support from school mental health professionals, phone/text helplines, community services, or primary care providers, and how religion shapes attitudes toward mental health care.
- Why it Matters
Black adolescents face significant mental health challenges, including higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality compared to other groups. Despite this, barriers like stigma and mistrust often limit access to care. Religion plays a complex role in this process, influencing help-seeking behaviors in ways that are not fully understood. This research is crucial for identifying strategies to improve mental health service access for these teens, particularly in addressing the intersection of cultural, familial, and religious factors.
- Methods
- The study used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, combining quantitative data from 285 Black adolescents (ages 14–18) with qualitative interviews of six participants. The quantitative phase examined relationships between religious affiliation and use of four mental health service types. The qualitative phase explored participants’ personal experiences with religion and mental health, identifying themes through thematic analysis.
- Key Findings
- The researchers found that religious Black adolescents (e.g., Protestant, Christian, Catholic) were more likely to seek help from school-based mental health professionals, while nonreligious youth (e.g., atheist, agnostic) were more likely to use phone or text helplines. Both groups used community and primary care services at similar rates. Qualitative data revealed three key themes: (1) reliance on religious coping methods like prayer, (2) stigma and dismissiveness toward mental health issues in religious families, and (3) growing awareness of the need for professional support alongside or instead of religious approaches.
- Implications
The findings highlight the need for interventions tailored to the needs of Black adolescents that bridge religious coping and formal mental health care. Schools can serve as accessible, less stigmatizing environments for religious youth to seek help. For nonreligious youth, helplines offer a low-barrier option, but efforts should focus on connecting them to sustained care. Partnerships between mental health providers, schools, and religious organizations could foster trust and improve access to care.
- Next Steps
Future research should examine the spectrum of religious beliefs and practices, rather than just affiliation, to better understand their impact on mental health care. Interventions should explore integrating religious and secular supports to address differences in service use across groups. Expanding studies to include additional religious subgroups within the Black community could also provide deeper insights.
- Funding Information
This research was supported by the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology/American Psychological Association, Division 53 Child Mental Health in Action Innovation Grant. Additional funding support was provided to the senior author by the National Institute of Mental Health (grant L60MH134358-01). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Yale University also provided funding and support for this research.
Full Citation
Authors
Elizabeth Baker, PhD
First AuthorAssistant Professor in the Child Study Center
Aijah K.B. Goodwin
Last Author