Racism in Grade Schools: Impacts on Adolescent Mental Health

Racism in school is a pervasive issue that significantly affects adolescent development since most people spend the majority of their formative years there. Here’s how racism and mental health are connected in a grade school environment:

How Systemic Racism in Schools Leads to Adverse Outcomes for Students

As necessary but imperfect institutions, grade schools tend to reflect broader racial tensions in society. This means that students of color may experience implicit or explicit racial bias that subjects them to microaggressions, racial slurs, exclusion, and bullying, sometimes from teachers and school staff as well as from their peers. Racism can cause teachers to do the following with regard to non-white students:

• Be less likely to recommend students to gifted-education programs

• Be afraid to offer helpful constructive criticism of student work

• Give lower test scores (out of expectation of low performance)

• Incorrectly label students as troublemakers

• Take unwarranted disciplinary action

All of this can impact overall student achievement — which prepares young people for success as adults — and contribute to poor mental health in teens.

How Racism at School Impacts Student Mental Health

Research indicates that exposure to racism during their formative years can lead to severe and long-term mental health problems for children and adolescents of color, including:

• Higher levels of stress

• Low self-esteem

• Increased rates of depression and anxiety

• Feelings of isolation and hopelessness

While some adolescents develop resilience in the face of adversity, the continuous stress of racism in the learning environment — where young people spend most of their time each day — can overwhelm their coping mechanisms. Effective coping strategies promoted by strong support systems and community engagement are crucial.

How We Can Support Students of Color

Although racism in schools can’t be eradicated overnight, there are many ways to better support adolescents of color as they go through arguably the most difficult stage of human development, such as:

• Create inclusive environments. Schools can prioritize creating inclusive, culturally competent environments that address the needs of all students. 

• Promote mental health resources. Schools can play a pivotal role in providing or connecting students with mental health support systems. One example of this is implementing counseling services that focus on the unique challenges faced by students of color. Schools can also partner with nonprofits that work in the teen mental health sector and direct students to related resources, such as online forums that allow people to share their experiences and offer healthy coping strategies.

Support Teens Experiencing Racism at School With ReGroup Foundation

ReGroup Foundation is a nonprofit that helps preteens and teens as well as their families anonymously share and benefit from mental health success stories. Too often, the best resources and practices in teen mental health care remain under the radar. 

We want all families to benefit from the triumphs of those who have “been there, done that” where racism at school and other issues impacting mental health are concerned. We make this possible by collecting family reviews of local mental health caregivers and facilities and providing a forum for sharing personal strategies that teens can use in recovering from wellness challenges. In only 15 minutes, you can begin making a world of difference in the lives of teens and their families — just by anonymously sharing your successes. Register today, and start sharing your reviews and mental health insights.