H.O.P.E. Circle: Youth-Led Participatory Action Research to Remedy and Repair Mental Health Services in School

• In Event: Advancing Academic Achievement and Teacher Experience in Urban Schools

Abstract

As Black youth in Florida face censure to discuss important topics, out-of-school, third spaces that support youth voice and their mental well-being is critical. This is most important for Black boys who rarely have an opportunity to express their concern about their mental health and how contexts, like schools, engage them about their well-being. This study describes an out-of-school youth-led participatory action research intervention, Healing Oasis for Peace and empowerment™ (H.O.P.E.) and its impact on reimagining and repairing mental health services for youth at a local school. Results were two-fold: (a) support youth to reimagine an educational environment that is prepared to address their post-traumatic growth, and (b) promote micro-policies that enhance educational and mental health practices among youth.

Authors

• L. Trenton S. Marsh, University of Central Florida

• Melonie Sexton, Valencia College