They experience rates of harm while imprisoned in all systems, including the mental health system. This disproportionate abuse includes Black children. A research study from the NAACP found that in Florida alone, “nearly 36,000 children per year are committed for psychiatric exams, with Black students being involuntarily committed at twice the rate of white students.* Many Black families are unprepared to face the realities that can come with psychiatric care during a crisis. This guide seeks to equip them with information before a crisis happens—so they can make informed decisions, better advocate for their loved ones, and navigate psychiatric systems with greater knowledge, dignity, and confidence.

The Psychiatric Green Book combines historical context with practical tools, providing clear, direct, and honest information about the history, the research, and what we have learned firsthand from being placed in psychiatric institution. It includes personal insights from parents and caregivers, easy-to-use checklists, legal information, and step-by-step guidance that families can reference during times of crisis.