Culturally Responsive Strategies to Assess Suicide Risk in Black Youth

Literature highlights concerning trends in the mental health and well-being of Black populations, including increased suicide risk. Black boys are particularly vulnerable, as their symptoms of distress are often overlooked or misinterpreted by school personnel (Marraccini et al., 2022). Given these disparities, attendees will explore recent mental health and suicide-related trends as they pertain to Black youth to promote an understanding of their current needs, in addition to sociopolitical factors that impact their overall well-being.

Drawing from peer-reviewed literature, this webinar also outlines suicide risk factors unique to youth of color and discusses culturally specific ways that Black youth may present signs of suicide risk. It also provides an overview of the state of the research on culturally responsive suicide risk assessment for youth of color, offering strategies for clinicians and school-based providers to enhance their practice.

Relevant theory is also discussed, including an integrated model of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide and Intersectionality Theory (Opara et al., 2020), providing attendees with a framework intentionally designed to help researchers, clinicians, and practitioners conceptualize and address suicidal behaviors in Black youth. Lastly, this webinar reviews suicide risk assessment instruments/tools that have shown promise, practically and psychometrically, when used to assess suicide risk in Black youth.​​

Dr. Grant is an Assistant Professor of School Psychology at Alfred University, where he also serves as Program Director. His research explores the effects of racism on youth of color, strategies to promote the cultural competence of school psychology trainees, and the recruitment and retention of school psychologists of color. He also consults for Riverside Insights, publisher of the Woodcock-Johnson assessments. Regarding service and leadership, Dr. Grant is an associate editor for Communiqué (NASP). He also serves on other leadership committees within NASP, the New York Association of School Psychologists (NYASP), and the Society for the Study of School Psychology (SSSP).