HBCUs Matter: A Review of Behavioral Health at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Abstract

Nearly one-fourth of all undergraduate degrees received by Black students are from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). HBCUs have both historical significance and present-day relevance in the promotion of Black excellence in higher education, especially in the consideration of behavioral health. The purpose of this work is to examine the present state of research surrounding behavioral health within HBCUs. A scoping review was conducted of the EbscoHost database, yielding a total of 252 articles. A total of 39 articles met the inclusion criteria and were examined within this work. Six studies informed the prevalence of behavioral health issues on campus, while the remaining articles covered a broad range of research from psychological and physical wellbeing, sexual health, violence, identity, and ideology, and finally programs and policies. Gaps and future recommendations for research and practice are discussed.

Keywords

HBCUs Black students behavioral health mental health substance use

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