2 - (SYM 32)are Providers Equipped to Help? Minoritized Youth and Mental Health Treatment

Minoritized youth often experience significantly higher rates of discrimination compared to their non-minoritized peers. Experiences of chronic discrimination may lead to increased depressive symptoms, post-trauma symptoms, anxiety, increased aggression and substance use (Clifton, manuscript in progress; Metzger et al., 2021; Walker et al., 2022). Despite the overwhelming number of minoritized youth experiencing significant mental health problems, access to mental health treatment remains poor compared to access for white youth (Thomeer et al., 2023). Further, systemic barriers and stigma remain high among many minority groups. Mistrust of healthcare systems and providers is frequently cited as a reason for reduced levels of minority engagement in outpatient mental health services and likely contributes to minoritized youths’ over-utilization of emergency services for mental health. Despite overwhelming evidence of the negative impact of discrimination on mental health, few providers receive adequate training for addressing these mental health concerns. This study aimed to understand mental health providers’ training, experiences, and perceived competence in engaging minoritized youth in treatment.

Mental health clinicians working in a large hospital system (N=91) in an urban US city were asked to participate in a brief self-report survey aimed at understanding their training and real-world experiences working with diverse youth. Clinicians reported on their own identities and experiences in engaging diverse youth in discussions about race, culture, identity and mental health.  Majority of clinicians were white 63.9%, non-Hispanic 82.2%. Clinicians reported having received prior training in working with diverse youth and mental health 72.2%, however 60.7% of clinicians reported their previous training was not adequate. Further, 93.8% of clinicians reported feeling they would benefit from additional training and 95.1% felt their patients would benefit from them having more training in working with diverse youth. Implications for clinical practice will be discussed.