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Breaking the Cycle: How Cultural Competence in Behavioral Health Can Improve Early Intervention for Black and Brown Youth
Cultural competence in behavioral health refers to the ability of health care providers to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with individuals across cultures. It includes being aware of the cultural factors that influence an individual's experiences and worldview, including...
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Parenting with Mental Illness: Breaking the Silence and Navigating the Challenges
Mental illness affects millions of individuals worldwide, with an estimated 20% of adults in the United States experiencing a mental health disorder each year (NIMH, 2022). Among them, many are parents tasked with the responsibility of raising children while managing their own mental health. While...
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Addressing Mental Health Disparities Among LGBTQ+ Youth
Mental health challenges among LGBTQ+ youth have been an ongoing concern for human services organizations. This group faces higher rates of bullying, discrimination, and mistreatment than many other populations. As a result, they are more vulnerable to conditions such as anxiety and...
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Brain Disease or Moral Failure? Why the Label Matters for Addiction Recovery
When I went to treatment 15 years ago, I was convinced that addiction wasn't a disease. And that, if it were a disease, it was self-inflicted. Many of the patients I care for today often have the same feelings, blaming themselves and living with shame despite the knowledge we have today. If more...
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Preventing Youth Suicide: Intervention Strategies and Community Resources
The national suicide rate among adolescent youth has risen significantly over the years, surpassing other causes of youth fatalities. Suicide during childhood and adolescence is ranked as the second leading cause of death among these age groups. A 2022 study found that suicide was the...
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A Dual Crisis: Understanding the Rise in Youth Suicide and Substance Use Disorders
As a psychiatrist and parent of two teenage boys, youth health and wellbeing are critically important to me, both professionally and personally. I am deeply concerned about the increasing prevalence and complexity of co-occurring disorders in youth, where mental health disorders coexist with...
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Lifting Voices to Transform the Care Delivery Experience for Children and Youth who have Complex Mental Health Needs
The preliminary findings from the national Lifting Voices family/caregiver survey align with and reinforce the Families Together New York State 2025 policy agenda. To find alignment is not surprising given that both the survey and agenda are the creation of caregivers for children and youth with...
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The Cost of Silence: How Ignoring Mental Illness in South Asian Families Leads to Physical Health Issues
Mental health remains a stigmatized issue in many South Asian families, where cultural expectations and generational beliefs discourage conversations about psychological well-being. Instead of seeking help, individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders are often...
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Spirituality Versus Psychiatry: Why Many South Asians Turn to Religion Before Therapy or Psychiatric Medication
Mental health in South Asian communities is a subject influenced by a combination of cultural, social, and religious factors. Many South Asians, particularly those in Western countries, have a unique relationship with mental health care that often leads them to prioritize spiritual or religious...
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Mental Health and Matchmaking: How Stigma Affects South Asian Marriage Prospects
Marriage is a monumental decision in South Asian culture, with families playing an active role in selecting partners. The matchmaking process, through family networks, matrimonial websites, or professional matchmakers, tends to prioritize factors such as education, career, caste, and family...
