Dying too soon young black men suicide & gun violence-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The presentation provided by Dr. Roger Mitchell, Lawrence Malik, and Curtis Adams revolves around the urgent public health issues of gun violence and mental health in Black communities, specifically among young Black men. Dr. Roger Mitchell discusses his role as a forensic pathologist and his efforts to address violence and death in custody. Emphasizing a public health approach, particularly with regard to gun violence that goes beyond traditional methods, he advocates for a combination of community-based interventions, consistent surveillance, and policy reform. The discussions also highlight the psychiatric perspective, illustrating the disproportionate impact of gun violence on communities of color, particularly on young Black males. The speakers underscore the importance of addressing the root causes and surrounding societal factors through equity-centered approaches and the active involvement of psychosocial support systems, such as mentoring and sports programs. Dr. Lawrence Malik emphasizes the need for comprehensive investigations into gun violence and suicide, advocating for more significant federal funding to support such research. Meanwhile, Dr. Curtis Adams highlights the crucial role of mental health professionals in advocating for a systems-based approach to community care, encouraging psychiatrists to act as intermediaries between the community and healthcare systems. The emphasis remains on practical solutions that can be implemented immediately, such as relational and community-engaged therapeutic methods, while also identifying the systemic barriers and challenges in policy and official processes that need reform to improve the lives of those affected by gun violence and systemic racism.

Keywords

gun violence

mental health

Black communities

young Black men

forensic pathologist

public health approach

community-based interventions

policy reform

psychiatric perspective

equity-centered approaches

psychosocial support systems

mentoring programs

federal funding

systems-based approach

systemic racism