In Their Own Words: Black Girls Shaping the Future of School Mental Health Post-COVID-19 Through Youth Participatory Action Research

• In Event: AERA Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: Applications of Participartory Action Methods in Education Research: Literacy, Needs Assessment, Intergenerational Dynamics, and School Mental Health (Table 7)

Abstract

This paper explores how Black girls in an urban mid-Atlantic reimagine school-based mental health resources post-COVID-19 and the benefits of YPAR groups on students' understanding of mental health and wellness practices. Utilizing a qualitative case study design grounded in Black Feminist Thought and Youth Participatory Action Research, the study delves into the intersectionality of race and gender and aims to elevate Black girls' voices and experiences. This study employs YPAR group sessions, interviews, and written reflections, ensuring comprehensive and robust data triangulation. Anticipated findings aim to inform systemic changes in school-based mental health resources. The study significantly advances academic understanding and practical implications for supporting marginalized students.

Author

• Christina Tillery, Virginia Commonwealth University