The teenage years are a time of great emotional evolution. It can be a time of immense growth, potential, and self-discovery, but it’s also a time of vulnerability as teens find their place in the world. But for teen girls of color, this period can be even more challenging due to a host of factors such as limited representation in media, pressure to excel academically, or cultural differences. The result could be overwhelming stress that can lead to negative outcomes including lower self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression. There are many nonprofits and philanthropic initiatives that advocate for and provide mental health resources, but where are the resources that are specifically geared toward teen girls of color?

In my report, Colors of the Heart, we saw that teen girls of color experience a wide range of emotions—including stress—on a daily basis. And we found that to best help these young women with the emotional stress they face, we must educate them about emotions, enable them to feel their feelings, and empower them with tools to navigate them.

First, education is the key to building emotional awareness. The way our society understands emotions is flawed. Emotions are messengers that we should acknowledge and address, not something to be scared of or run from. We first learn about emotions from our parents, and depending on the cultural dynamics of a household, talking about feelings may be actively discouraged. So parents and teens have to consider how their cultural heritage impacts their feelings and experiences. Nonprofits and philanthropies that interact with teen girls must understand their cultural backgrounds and develop comprehensive programs that incorporate mindfulness and emotional intelligence with cultural heritage in mind. By equipping teen girls of color with an emotional vocabulary, we can help them begin to understand their own feelings and learn how to manage them.

Second, we must help enable teen girls of color to feel their feelings. They need an environment where open conversations about mental health are encouraged. By building supportive networks with peers and caregivers, we can help alleviate their feelings of isolation. This, in turn, creates a permission structure for teen girls to express their concerns and seek guidance, instilling in them a sense of belonging and security. We have to let teen girls of color know that their feelings are valid and that they can talk about their emotions without judgment. By enabling safe spaces where girls feel comfortable seeking help and understanding the importance of self-care, we encourage them to develop lifelong skills to manage stress effectively.

Finally, teen girls of color must be empowered with practical tools to cope with stress. This may include deep breathing exercises, meditation, or even knowing when to seek professional help when necessary. Programs should emphasize how teen girls of color can set boundaries, say no when needed, and take time for relaxation and rejuvenation. Teen girls of color need to know how to recognize the various sources of stress they experience so they can know which emotional regulation tools to employ. There is no one-size-fits-all tool that will help every girl, but being exposed to a variety of tools will help them select what works best for them.

We must remember that the emotional experiences of teen girls of color are complex, unique, and deeply personal and can sometimes be a source of stress. Every interaction we as philanthropic organizations have with teen girls of color should be about providing the necessary support and guidance to help them navigate these emotions effectively.

By adopting this approach, mental health organizations can assist teen girls of color in managing their stress, empowering them to thrive, and ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate world. The journey to understanding and supporting the emotions teen girls of color face is winding, but it begins with an organization’s commitment to their well-being. Together, we can help teen girls of color create a more empathetic and inclusive world.

Dr. Jennifer Keitt is CEO of The Keitt Institute, a center for emotional development and well-being. She is also the author of the groundbreaking study Colors of the Heart, which investigated how teen girls of color develop their emotional understanding.