Now more than ever, depression prevention treatment should be the forefront of discussions, particularly for Black Americans. Judith Joseph, MD, MBA, board-certified psychiatrist, researcher, and author of High Functioning shared, “Many Black youth have trauma that leads to depression. In my research on high-functioning depression, I found that trauma is a risk factor for depression in many marginalized groups.
Black Americans have the highest rates of trauma among any group, and if we don’t address the trauma, then it is very difficult to address the depression,” Dr. Joseph tells BDOPro. “Also, Black Americans experience racial trauma and discrimination that other groups don’t, so they are at higher risk for depression related to trauma.” These insights underscore the critical need to examine how current mental health interventions serve — or fail to serve — racially diverse communities.
The LARS&LISA Study
A recent study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology highlights concerns over the effectiveness of a depression prevention program for racially diverse youth. The research found that while the program proved successful for white youth, it did not show the same positive results for Black youth, prompting calls for further research tailored to diverse groups.
The study conducted in Louisville, Kentucky, included 425 freshmen students, with 57 percent identifying as Black and 43 percent as white. These students attended a high school primarily serving low-income families. Half of the participants were placed in a control group, while the other half took part in the 10-week LARS&LISA Program. The program uses vignettes featuring two characters Lars and Lisa, and is designed to build motivation through personal goal setting and elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
How the Study Worked
The students completed surveys on depressive symptoms before and after the program, as well as a follow-up survey four months later. While white participants showed a significant depression prevention regarding symptoms both immediately after the program and at the follow-up, Black students didn’t exhibit the same improvements. Their results were similar to those of the control group, indicating no measurable benefit from the program.
The discrepancy has raised concerns about the need for more culturally tailored mental health interventions that address the unique needs of racially diverse youth. While theories exist as to why the treatment didn’t benefit Black youth in the study, such as factors like racism, depression, trauma, and anxiety, no definitive findings were made.
Why Culturally Competent Care Matters
Dr. Judith Joseph emphasized the importance of inclusivity in research. She stated, “Using culturally competent strategies, acknowledging racially triggered trauma, and understanding how youth of color express, report, and cope with symptoms of depression and trauma is important. It is hard to measure health outcomes in studies if the language being used is not written in a way that the study participant identifies with. As a researcher, I know that some patients from culturally diverse backgrounds don’t even understand the questions being asked because they express their experiences differently.”
As mental health discussions continue to evolve, Black people need to remain engaged in these conversations. It’s also important that programs are inclusive and tailored to meet the diverse needs of young people, ensuring that every child receives the support necessary to thrive emotionally and mentally as they navigate life. Normalizing these conversations allows children to understand the emotions they’re experiencing and helps break the stigma. After all, depression impacts everyone.