Alfiee M. Breland-Noble Knihy

This handbook addresses significant gaps in child and adolescent mental health literature by focusing on the unique challenges and strengths of African American youth. It merges a cultural perspective with best-practice intervention strategies. Expert insights are provided on sociocultural factors affecting mental health, the prevalence of specific disorders among African American adolescents, and culturally relevant assessment and diagnostic methods. The handbook aims to enhance access to treatment, prevent misdiagnosis and over-hospitalization, and reduce disparities in research and care. Key topics include the epidemiology of mental disorders in African American youth, culturally relevant diagnosis and assessment, the application of dialectical behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, community strategies for promoting mental health, and culturally relevant psychopharmacology. It also discusses future directions for the field. This resource is essential for researchers, professors, graduate students, clinicians, and professionals in child and school psychology, public health, family studies, child and adolescent psychiatry, family medicine, and social work.