Rep. Carter Hosts Youth Mental Health Panel at Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) hosted the panel “Our Kids are NOT Ok, and Neither are We!” at the 52nd Annual Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference (CBC ALC). This panel brought together health care experts and stakeholders for a discussion about Black youth mental health.
“Youth mental health is a global crisis. Regardless of age, location, education, and economic standing, racism is the biggest barrier to mental health for the Black community,” said Rep. Carter. “I was proud to host this CBC ALC session where we heard from the experts on the ground who are talking to our young people every day. This event was an extraordinary gathering of visionaries, activists, and leaders who are shaping the future of Black community.”
In May, Congressman Carter introduced H.R. 3760, the Mental Health Workforce Act, to create more diversity and increase the number of culturally competent mental health care providers in the United States. Numerous barriers to access mental health care treatment persists in communities of color, including the stigma associated with mental illness, general distrust of healthcare institutions, and lack of health insurance.
In July, Congressman Carter convened the annual “HBCU Cares Mental Health Symposium” to bring together Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) president’s and stakeholders for a discussion about Black student’s mental health. This dialogue focused on themes including reducing isolation, improving campus safety, and increasing access to health care providers.
Panelists for this event included Dr. Shairi Turner, Chief Health Officer, Crisis Text Line, Dr. Sabrina N’diaye, Psychologist, Center for Mind-Body Medicine, Brandon Johnson, Bureau Chief, Suicide Prevention Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin (SAMHSA), and Dr. Linda Henderson, Director, Evelance Health. The conversation was moderated by Patrice Webb, Kindness Gangsta and Brandon Coleman, Sole Cole. It was presented by Amazon.
###