Strengths-Based Approaches to Suicide Prevention in the Black Community

The crisis of suicide among Black youth and emerging adults has escalated in recent years. Despite this, little is known about what factors can protect against the occurrence of suicide for Black Americans. In this talk, Dr. Brooks Stephens will review socio-cultural risk factors for suicide among Black youth and emerging adults, share her research focusing on strengths-based approaches to suicide prevention, and outline essential actions needed to address this public health crisis.

Jasmin Brooks Stephens, PhD

Dr. Jasmin Brooks Stephens is an incoming Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley (starting July 2025). Dr. Brooks Stephens earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Houston and completed her clinical internship at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Brooks Stephens’ research focuses on utilizing qualitative and quantitative clinical science methods to characterize the unique social and contextual risk factors that shape the mental health trajectories of Black youth and emerging adults, with a focus on suicide vulnerability and racial trauma. Grounded in strengths-based approaches, her work also aims to identify cultural protective factors that promote resilience and positive psychological well-being for diverse Black communities. Through her work, she aims to develop and implement culturally relevant interventions, programming, and policies that target the reduction of racism-related stress, suicide, and health disparities within Black communities. Her work has been supported by several national organizations including the NASEM Ford Foundation, APA Minority Fellowship Program, and P.E.O. Foundation.