Strength-based and culturally grounded approaches to supporting young Black men’s mental health

Research on young Black men’s mental health has often been shaped by deficit-oriented frameworks that emphasize pathology while obscuring cultural strengths and structural context. This paper advances a strength-based, culturally grounded perspective by synthesizing interdisciplinary literature on the social, cultural, and ecological factors shaping young Black men’s mental health. Rather than positioning young Black men as problems to be managed, the review highlights how cultural assets, such as spirituality, cultural identity, peer solidarity, mentorship, and creative expression, support resilience amid racism, misdiagnosis, and institutional marginalization. Implications for social work research, practice, and policy aimed at advancing mental health equity are discussed.