RI effective policies to promote black youth mental health - mental health, is about more than the absence of mental health disorders, IT is about a state of well-being that affects all aspects of our…

RI effective policies to promote black youth mental health - mental health, is about more than the absence of mental health disorders, IT is about a state of well-being that affects all aspects of our lives, including how we feel about ourselves and interact with others. Youth, particularly adolescents, may be more vulnerable to mental health conditions and risks as they navigate a dynamic stage of change in their lives. Black youth experience disproportionate health inequities that are not the result of individual behavior choices or genetic predisposition, but are caused by structural and systemic economic, political, and social conditions. Systemic health inequities require systemic approaches and solutions. Health promotion and prevention interventions must include policy to affect sustainable changes to address these structural and systemic social determinants of health. The rhode island department of health (ridoh) proposes a policy demonstration projectto establish the effectiveness of policies to promote black youth mental health (bymh). Ridoh will center intentional and meaningful stakeholder engagement, including an advisory council, to impact social and structural determinants of bymh. With a health equity lens, application of a socio-ecological model, and a mental health in all policies framework, the project's assessment of policies and implementation of policy interventions will lead to sustainable system changes to reduce risk, strengthen protective factors, build resilience, and establish supportive environments for black youth. A comprehensive and ongoing evaluation of process, outcome, and impact will keep the project on target to meet proposed goals and objectives, while also generating findings and lessons learned for wide dissemination to local and national audiences.