Using Youth Participatory Action Research to Examine Structural Violence and Youth Mental Health

Mental health is impacted by structural factors such as poverty, access to care and quality education, racism, homophobia, transphobia, violence, and housing insecurity. The current study adds to the extant literature by providing data obtained in collaboration with racialized and minoritized young people, with the purpose of understanding how structural violence affects their mental health and, ultimately, to suggest community-driven policy. We engaged a diverse sample of young people—including Black, Latinx, and/or LGBTQ+, housing insecure, and living with a disability in a youth participatory action research project. In spring 2021, youth participants examined how structural racism and other systems of oppression influence adolescent health inequities. Participatory arts-based methods were utilized to conduct community and identity building activities, define research questions and photo prompts, perform data collection (photos), engage in group thematic analysis, and make recommendations at the state policy level. Also, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants. Our findings reveal that lack of awareness about mental health, cost, and wait times; invalidation of their experiences; and mental health stigmas were major structural barriers to the health and well-being of participants. These insights highlight the importance for public health researchers and practitioners alike to have a deep understanding of youth-specific experiences to develop effective community-based interventions that address the structural sources of poor mental health outcomes for youth.