Parents and Caregivers Supporting Wellness
Whole Person Wellness
This page provides resources you may need when supporting your Black female adolescent as they navigate obesity treatment.
Remember, you want your teen to feel feel empowered, informed, and inspired as they explore what better health can look like for them.
Let’s help our teens get healthier — as a TEAM.
Click the image or scroll to read more about current research conducted with this population on obesity treatment and its implications for care.
Click the image to learn how to find a mental health provider for your teen in your area.
Click the image to see more information on options for helping your teen with incorporating movement into their lifestyle.
Research on Obesity and Impacts on Black Girl Wellness
Resources for your Teens Mental Wellness
Accessing Mental Health Support
Your Black adolescent teen with obesity may experience weight stigma, racial bias, bullying, chronic stress, and social pressures that can contribute to anxiety, depression, emotional eating, low self-esteem, or disengagement from care.
Connecting them to mental or behavioral health services may be beneficial to help address your teens:
1. Relationship with food
2. Improving body image & self-confidence
3. Decreasing symptoms of depression or anxiety.
​
Click the Printable PDF below with the common types of therapists, steps to follow /questions to consider to help you identify a qualified mental health treatment provider,
Therapy For Black Girls
Your teen may look for a commuity to feel seen and valuable resource for finding therapy for Black women and girls; Therapy for Black Girls is designed specifically for this population.
It was created by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist, speaker, and the host of the mental health podcast of the same name. Her work focuses on making mental health topics more relevant and accessible for Black women, often using current pop culture to illustrate psychological concepts.
Mental Health Provider Search
While finding your teen a culturally-sensitive mental health provider from the same background is often preferred or even ideal for many families, it can present with challenges due to shortages in BIPOC mental health providers in the field.
​
For finding a therapist, see links below for:
1. Psychologytoday.com, a major search engine for mental health providers, as well as
2. A printable PDF you can provide to patients in need of a mental health provider.
The Loveland Foundation
The Loveland Foundation is a non-profit organization that covers the cost of therapy (about 4 - 12 sessions) for women and girls in the Black community.
This organization provides mental health resources and invests in the professional development of BIPOC therapists.
The LoveLand Foundation believes that if we reimagine a mental health care system that is accessible to Black women, we can create a system that benefits everyone.
Resources for Teen Physical & Community Wellness
Recreational Activities for Teens in New Jersey
When supporting your teen, including the family in lifestyle changes and incorporating movement activities are essential for helping your teen navigate this treatment.
The New Jersey Government (NJ.gov) site provides examples of after-school programs, interscholastic and intramural sport programs, walking and biking programs, and walk-to-school efforts available to students across NJ.
Black Community Resources for Patients
Supporting your Black teen's wellness means encouraging whole-person wellness, including mental health, family connections, cultural identity, and spiritual well-being.
Click below for a Printable PDF listing community organizations that support Black community wellness through education, events, and other programming.
Helping Patients Find Physical Activities
Finding accessible, low- or no-cost recreational spaces or activities to help your Black female teen can be challenging.
​
Click below for a Printable PDF you can reference to help locate free or low-cost gyms, recreation centers, and sports/club programs for youth in New Jersey (some programs available nationwide).
Clothing Resources
Finding the clothing to look and feel our best is important. Black Teen Girls are in a period of adolescent development marked by identity exploration. Helps support patients in your office find clothing that makes them feel comfortable and confident to manage their health.
Click below to see a Printable PDF including a list of​plus-sized inclusive brands for underwear, clothing, and shoes.