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Smartphone App Aims to Help Black Teen Girls Cope with Mental Health Issues

Roselynnd McNeal, a 7th grader at Buchtel Middle School, tries out the app. (Photo: ideastream)
Roselynnd McNeal, a 7th grader at Buchtel Middle School, tries out the app. (Photo: ideastream)

According to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, African-Americans are 20% more likely to experience mental health issues like major depression, ADHD, and PTSD than the general population. Black girls in particular have anxiety levels that are significantly higher than other groups in the U.S.

A new local program run by a psychologist at Kent State University aims to tackle that issue through a smartphone app. Hoping to reach black teen girls through music and journaling, all located on a smartphone, Kent psychologist Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett says the app is meant to help girls halt negative thinking and replace it with positive thoughts.

lecia.bushak@ideastream.org | 216-916-6062