Integrating Racial Healing In K-12 Schools: Perspectives From School-Based Mental Health Professionals

• In Event: The Next Movement: Graduate Students’ Cultivation of Research to Address Social Justice Issues in Education

Abstract

Black youth experience racism across their lifespan, commencing with the historical trauma that permeates generationally. The ramifications of racism impact black youth across systems—families, communities, and schools, further creating a lasting impact on their mental health, identity, and worldview. While Black youth disproportionately experience higher levels of race-related discrimination, stress, and trauma, schools are propositioned as conduits to promote racial healing. The forthcoming dissertation research is informed by years of intensive mentorship that has focused on dedicated training through GRA research including projects centering community voice and participatory action research. The dissertation seeks to explore school-based mental health professionals' perceptions of their role in counseling and facilitating healing spaces for Black youth experiencing racism in K-12 educational settings. Through foundational teaching and continued mentorship of social justice-framed research, the presentation will discuss equitable practices in school-based research; given attention to theory selection, qualitative methodological processes, and implications for practice.

Authors

• Danielle R. Harrell, University of Texas - Arlington

• Aundraea Brown, University of Texas - Arlington