Untended Psychological Needs Persist Among Black and Hispanic Adolescent Girls, Highlighting a Lack of Adequate Care and Understanding
In a warm, vibrant classroom nestled within Robert Abbott Middle School, a group of eighth-grade girls converged, ready to delve into a lively discussion. Yuli Paez-Naranjo, emblazoned in a fiery Working on Womanhood (WOW) T-shirt, facilitated the session, discussing how personal values can guide decisions.
"Two little devils whispering on your shoulders, one sleeking good thoughts, the other spewing bad ones?" Paez-Naranjo asked, the girls giggling in agreement.
WOW is more than just a weekly meeting in this bustling school; it's the heart of individual and group therapy that Working on Womanhood offers to Black, Hispanic, and students of all genders during the school year. Created by social workers at non-profit organization Youth Guidance, the goal of WOW is to enhance self-awareness, boost confidence, and bolster resilience within underserved student populations, particularly those in districts with high concentrations of low-income families.
Youth Guidance offers WOW services to over 350 students in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60, located about 30 miles north of Chicago, where nearly 93% of the 13,600 students are Black or Hispanic. These sessions serve dual functions as safe spaces for laughter, friendship, and conversation, as well as a venue for addressing personal challenges head-on.
Research underscores the effectiveness of WOW, with a 2023 University of Chicago study showing WOW reduced PTSD symptoms among Chicago Public Schools participants by 22%, decreasing their anxiety and depression levels. Despite the progress made and the pressing need for such programs, various hurdles — including funding, counselor fatigue, and skepticism towards mental health services — persist.
Yet, WOW finds a way by positioning itself within the schools themselves, ensuring that students receive support during the bulk of their daily routine. Paez-Naranjo, a beloved figure among Abbott students, posed a question to the group:
"Let's talk about the positive and negative consequences of certain decisions. How about fighting?" she asked.
"Maybe the only positive aspect would be discovering your inner strength," said Deanna Palacio.
"Why opt for a fistfight when you can verbally duke it out?" Ka'Neya Lehn retorted.
"Spot-on," a third girl echoed, reinforcing the consensus.
Did You Know?Alarmingly high rates of trauma exposure have been reported among Hispanic and Black girls in Chicago public schools, with just under a third of participants witnessing violence or homicide, and almost half losing someone close to them through sudden or violent means. Over 38% of these girls displayed signs of PTSD — a rate more than double that of returning service members from Iraq and Afghanistan[1].
Paez-Naranjo and WOW counselor Te'Ericka Kimbrough, who operates from Waukegan Alternative/Optional Educational Center, have supported students dealing with sexual assault, teen parenting, and peer pressure, among other struggles. WOW counselors work hand-in-hand with school-based behavioral health teams, administrators, and teachers to identify students who might benefit from the program.
Minority students often face hurdles accessing mental health support within school settings. In-school mental health services targeted to girls, particularly evidence-based, sustained programs like WOW, are rare or non-existent in many public schools. Culturally responsive care is also scarce, with less than 9% of U.S. mental health providers being Hispanic, and just 4% being Black[2].
Sally Nuamah, an associate professor at Northwestern University, notes that institutionalized bias can lead to overlooked mental health needs within Black children. The girls' positive behavior can sometimes mask their emotional struggles[3]. Yet, by offering tailored support within school walls for nearly 200 days a year, WOW remains a beacon of hope.
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References:[1] University of Chicago Education Lab (2023)[2] National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Mental Health By the Numbers[3] Nuamah, Sally (2021)
- Recognizing the critical need for mental health support in underserved student populations, particularly among Black and Hispanic girls, programs like Working on Womanhood (WOW) aim to reduce mental health disparities and promote health-and-wellness through innovation in education.
- The effectiveness of WOW programs in addressing student mental health challenges, such as PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and depression, is backed by research, making it imperative to continue supporting these initiatives to bridge the inequality in access to mental health resources.
- To foster a culture of care and understanding, WOW emphasizes the importance of science-based practices, along with culturally responsive approaches, to create safe spaces where students can openly discuss their personal experiences and challenges in the context of mental health and self-development.
