Michael A. Lindsey
Dean and Paulette Goddard Professor of Social Work
PhD, MSW, MPH
Areas of Expertise: Child and adolescent mental health services research; adolescent depression; adolescent suicide; school mental health; adolescent risk behaviors; Black mental health
Biography
Dr. Michael A. Lindsey is a noted scholar in the fields of child and adolescent mental health, as well as a leader in the search for knowledge and solutions to generational poverty and inequality. He is the Dean and Paulette Goddard Professor of Social Work at NYU Silver School of Social Work, and an Aspen Health Innovators Fellow.
Additionally, Dr. Lindsey led the working group of experts supporting the Congressional Black Caucus Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health, which created the report Ring the Alarm: The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (NAP) in Social Work and Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. Dr. Lindsey was also appointed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF). In 2023, he was appointed to the New York City Board of Health.
Prior to being named NYU Silver’s Dean, Dr. Lindsey was the Constance and Martin Silver Professor of Poverty Studies and Executive Director of the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research.
Dr. Lindsey serves on the editorial boards of the following journals: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Psychiatric Services, and School Mental Health. The politics news outlet City & State New York has recognized him in the 2022 and 2023 Higher Education Power 100 lists, as well as the 2021 Mental Health Power 50 list. He is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
He holds a PhD in social work and MPH from the University of Pittsburgh, an MSW from Howard University, and a BA in sociology from Morehouse College. Dr. Lindsey also completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in public health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Publications
Use, Potential Use, and Awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by Level of Psychological Distress
Purtle, J., McSorley, A. M., Adera, A. L. & Lindsey, M. A., Oct 31 2023,
In : JAMA network open. 6.
The association between interpersonal factors, barriers to mental health help-seeking behaviors, and persistent depression disorder among Latinx and Black youths
Vélez-Grau, C., Mufson, L., Byansi, W. & Lindsey, M. A., Jun 2023,
In : Psychiatry Research Communications. 3, 2, 100123.
Feasibility and Preliminary Impact of a Community-Based Intervention for Maternal PTSD and Parenting: Parenting-STAIR Pilot
Sullivan, K. S., Ancharski, K., Wortham, W., Okosi, M., Kaplan, D., Urquiza, A., Timmer, S., Cloitre, M., Chemtob, C. & Lindsey, M. A., Feb 2023,
In : Journal of Child and Family Studies. 32, 2, p. 481-497
17 p.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 2020 In-State Answer Rates, Stratified by Call Volume Rates and Geographic Region
Purtle, J., Lindsey, M. A., Raghavan, R. & Stuart, E. A., Feb 2023,
In : Psychiatric Services. 74, 2, p. 204-205
2 p.
Profiles of Suicidal Ideation Among Black Male Adolescents: Examination of Individual and Socioecological Predictors
Gaylord-Harden, N. K., Gilreath, T., Burnside, A., Mintah, P. & Lindsey, M. A., 2023,
In : Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology..
The role of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness in passive suicide ideation among Latinx and Black youth
Vélez-Grau, C., McTernan, M., Mufson, L. & Lindsey, M. A., 2023,
In : Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior..
Applying an ecosocial framework to address racial disparities in suicide risk among black youth
Cohen, D. R., Lindsey, M. A. & Lochman, J. E., Dec 2022,
In : Psychology in the Schools. 59, 12, p. 2405-2421
A randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of Parenting-STAIR in treating maternal PTSD to reduce maltreatment recidivism: protocol for the Safe Mothers, Safe Children study
Lindsey, M., Sullivan, K., Chemtob, C., Ancharski, K., Jaccard, J., Cloitre, M., Urquiza, A., Timmer, S., Okosi, M. & Kaplan, D., Dec 2022,
In : Trials. 23, 1, 432.
Adolescent social networks matter for suicidal trajectories: Disparities across race/ethnicity, sex, sexual identity, and socioeconomic status
Xiao, Y. & Lindsey, M. A., Nov 3 2022,
In : Psychological Medicine. 52, 15, p. 3677-3688
12 p.
Do connectedness and self-esteem play a role in the transition to future suicide attempts among Latina and Latino youth with suicide ideation?
Vélez-Grau, C. & Lindsey, M. A., Aug 2022,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 139, 106553.
Adolescent suicide attempts in the United States: When suicide ideation and suicide capability interact
Vélez-Grau, C., Romanelli, M. & Lindsey, M., Jun 2022,
In : Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. 52, 3, p. 549-566
18 p.
Black Youth Suicide: Investigation of Current Trends and Precipitating Circumstances
Sheftall, A. H., Vakil, F., Ruch, D. A., Boyd, R. C., Lindsey, M. A. & Bridge, J. A., May 2022,
In : Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 61, 5, p. 662-675
14 p.
Factors Associated with Distinct Patterns of Suicidal Thoughts, Suicide Plans, and Suicide Attempts Among US Adolescents
Romanelli, M., Sheftall, A. H., Irsheid, S. B., Lindsey, M. A. & Grogan, T. M., Jan 2022,
In : Prevention Science. 23, 1, p. 73-84
12 p.
Racial/Ethnic, Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Socioeconomic Disparities in Suicidal Trajectories and Mental Health Treatment Among Adolescents Transitioning to Young Adulthood in the USA: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Xiao, Y. & Lindsey, M. A., Sep 2021,
In : Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research. 48, 5, p. 742-756
15 p.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Depression Treatment for Caregivers Investigated by the US Child Welfare System
Fong, H. f., Lindsey, M. A., Cruz-Gonzalez, M., Beardslee, W. & Alegria, M., Aug 2021,
In : Academic Pediatrics. 21, 6, p. 1037-1045
9 p.
Unpacking Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Associations between Neighborhood Disadvantage and Academic Achievement: Mediation of Future Orientation and Moderation of Parental Support
Xiao, Y., Romanelli, M., Vélez-Grau, C. & Lindsey, M. A., Jan 2021,
In : Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 50, 1, p. 103-125
23 p.
Sexual Identity–Behavior Profiles and Suicide Outcomes Among Heterosexual, Lesbian, and Gay Sexually Active Adolescents
Romanelli, M., Xiao, Y. & Lindsey, M. A., Aug 1 2020,
In : Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. 50, 4, p. 921-933
13 p.
Patterns of Healthcare Discrimination Among Transgender Help-Seekers
Romanelli, M. & Lindsey, M. A., Apr 2020,
In : American journal of preventive medicine. 58, 4, p. e123-e131
Trends of suicidal behaviors among high school students in the United States: 1991-2017
Lindsey, M. A., Sheftall, A. H., Xiao, Y. & Joe, S., Nov 1 2019,
In : Pediatrics. 144, 5, e20191187.
The Influence of Treatment Engagement on Positive Outcomes in the Context of a School-Based Intervention for Students with Externalizing Behavior Problems
Lindsey, M. A., Romanelli, M., Ellis, M. L., Barker, E. D., Boxmeyer, C. L. & Lochman, J. E., Sep 15 2019,
In : Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 47, 9, p. 1437-1454
18 p.
A latent class analysis of health lifestyles and suicidal behaviors among US adolescents
Xiao, Y., Romanelli, M. & Lindsey, M. A., Aug 1 2019,
In : Journal of Affective Disorders. 255, p. 116-126
11 p.
DEPRESSION, TRAUMA, AND SUICIDE AMONG ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT MALES
Lindsey, M. A. & Xiao, Y., Jan 1 2019,
Men’s Health Equity: A Handbook.
Taylor and Francis, p. 288-303
16 p.
Racial/ethnic measurement invariance of the School Success Profile (SSP)'s future orientation scale
Xiao, Y., Bowen, N. K. & Lindsey, M. A., Dec 2018,
In : Journal of School Psychology. 71, p. 85-107
23 p.
Family practice in integrative behavioral health
McKay, M. M., Lindsey, M. A. & Gopalan, G., May 27 2018,
In : Journal of Family Social Work. 21, 3, p. 189-190
2 p.
A Review of Treatments for Young Black Males Experiencing Depression
Lindsey, M. A., Banks, A., Cota, C. F., Lawrence Scott, M. & Joe, S., Mar 1 2018,
In : Research on Social Work Practice. 28, 3, p. 320-329
10 p.
Examining Mechanisms and Moderators of the Relationship Between Discriminatory Health Care Encounters and Attempted Suicide Among U.S. Transgender Help-Seekers
Romanelli, M., Lu, W. & Lindsey, M. A., 2018,
In : Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research. 45, 6, p. 831-849
19 p.
Psychometric properties of the ces-d among black adolescents in public housing
Lu, W., Lindsey, M. A., Irsheid, S. & Nebbitt, V. E., Dec 1 2017,
In : Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research. 8, 4, p. 595-619
25 p.
Mental Health and Educational Experiences Among Black Youth: A Latent Class Analysis
Rose, T., Lindsey, M. A., Xiao, Y., Finigan-Carr, N. M. & Joe, S., Nov 1 2017,
In : Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 46, 11, p. 2321-2340
20 p.
Effects of mind–body interventions on depressive symptoms among older Chinese adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Bo, A., Mao, W. & Lindsey, M. A., May 1 2017,
In : International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 32, 5, p. 509-521
13 p.
Boys do(n't) cry: Addressing the unmet mental health needs of African American boys
Lindsey, M. A., Brown, D. R. & Cunningham, M., 2017,
In : American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 87, 4, p. 377-383
7 p.
Psychometric properties of the center for epidemiological studies-depression Scale (CES-D) among Black adolescents
Lu, W., Lindsey, M., Irsheid, S. & Nebbitt, V., 2017,
In : Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research..
Implementing a Modular Research-Supported Treatment in Child Welfare: Effects and Obstacles
Schuler, B. R., Lee, B. R., Kolivoski, K. M., Attman, N. P. & Lindsey, M. A., Oct 1 2016,
In : Research on Social Work Practice. 26, 6, p. 693-703
11 p.
Help-seeking behaviors and depression among African American adolescent boys
Lindsey, M. A., Korr, W. S., Broitman, M., Bone, L., Green, A. & Leaf, P. J., Sep 13 2016,
Social Science Research: A Cross Section of Journal Articles for Discussion and Evaluation.
Taylor and Francis Inc., p. 212-220
9 p.
Barriers to mental health and treatment among urban adolescents and emerging adult males of color
Lindsey, M. A. & Watson, A., 2016.
Strategies for deconstructing racism in the health and human services.
New York: Oxford University Press
Correlates and Consequences of Father Nurturance in an African American College Sample
Doyle, O., Pecukonis, E. V. & Lindsey, M. A., Jun 4 2015,
In : Journal of Family Issues. 36, 7, p. 880-901
22 p.
The Common Elements of Engagement in Children's Mental Health Services: Which Elements for Which Outcomes?
Becker, K. D., Lee, B. R., Daleiden, E. L., Lindsey, M., Brandt, N. E. & Chorpita, B. F., Jan 2 2015,
In : Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. 44, 1, p. 30-43
14 p.
Implications to practice and service use among African American youth living in public housing
Rose, T., Lindsey, M. A. & Nebbitt, V.E., 2015.
Adolescents in public housing: addressing psychological and behavioral health.
New York: Columbia University Press
Race-Related Differences in the Experiences of Family Members of Persons with Mental Illness Participating in the NAMI Family to Family Education Program
Smith, M. E., Lindsey, M. A., Williams, C. D., Medoff, D. R., Lucksted, A., Fang, L. J., Schiffman, J., Lewis-Fernández, R. & Dixon, L. B., Oct 30 2014,
In : American journal of community psychology. 54, 3-4, p. 316-327
12 p.
Identifying the Common Elements of Treatment Engagement Interventions in Children's Mental Health Services
Lindsey, M. A., Brandt, N. E., Becker, K. D., Lee, B. R., Barth, R. P., Daleiden, E. L. & Chorpita, B. F., Sep 2014,
In : Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review. 17, 3, p. 283-298
16 p.
Program and practice elements for placement prevention: A review of interventions and their effectiveness in promoting home-based care
Lee, B. R., Ebesutani, C., Kolivoski, K. M., Becker, K. D., Lindsey, M. A., Brandt, N. E., Cammack, N., Strieder, F. H., Chorpita, B. F. & Barth, R. P., May 2014,
In : American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 84, 3, p. 244-256
13 p.
Translating the Common Elements Approach: Social Work's Experiences in Education, Practice, and Research
Barth, R. P., Kolivoski, K. M., Lindsey, M. A., Lee, B. R. & Collins, K. S., Mar 2014,
In : Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology. 43, 2, p. 301-311
11 p.
Mental health service use among high school students exposed to interpersonal violence
Green, J. G., Johnson, R. M., Dunn, E. C., Lindsey, M., Xuan, Z. & Zaslavsky, A. M., Feb 2014,
In : Journal of School Health. 84, 2, p. 141-149
9 p.
Preservice training for school mental health clincians
Lever, N., Lindsey, M. A., Grimm, L. & Weist, M.D., 2014.
Handbook of School Mental Health: Research, Training, Practice and Policy.
Weist, M. D. & et al., (eds.).New York, N.Y.: Springer Publishing Company
Predictors of Engagement in a School-Based Family Preventive Intervention for Youth Experiencing Behavioral Difficulties
Ellis, M. L., Lindsey, M. A., Barker, E. D., Boxmeyer, C. L. & Lochman, J. E., Oct 2013,
In : Prevention Science. 14, 5, p. 457-467
11 p.
Understanding the Behavioral Determinants of Mental Health Service Use by Urban, Under-Resourced Black Youth: Adolescent and Caregiver Perspectives
Lindsey, M. A., Chambers, K., Pohle, C., Beall, P. & Lucksted, A., Jan 2013,
In : Journal of Child and Family Studies. 22, 1, p. 107-121
15 p.
“We’re Going Through a Lot of Struggles That People Don’t Even Know About”: The Need to Understand African American Males’ Help-Seeking for Mental Health on Multiple Levels
Lindsey, M. A. & Marcell, A. V., Sep 2012,
In : American Journal of Men's Health. 6, 5, p. 354-364
11 p.
Corrigendum to "Parent-adolescent concordance on perceived need for mental health services and its impact on service use" [Child. Youth Serv. Rev. 33 (2011) 2253-2260]
Williams, C. D., Lindsey, M. & Joe, S., Jul 2012,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 34, 7, p. 1397
1 p.
Influence of caregiver network support and caregiver psychopathology on child mental health need and service use in the LONGSCAN study
Lindsey, M. A., Gilreath, T. D., Thompson, R., Graham, J. C., Hawley, K. M., Weisbart, C., Browne, D. & Kotch, J. B., May 2012,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 34, 5, p. 924-932
9 p.
Evidence-based practice at a crossroads: The timely emergence of common elements and common factors
Barth, R. P., Lee, B. R., Lindsey, M. A., Collins, K. S., Strieder, F., Chorpita, B. F., Becker, K. D. & Sparks, J. A., Jan 2012,
In : Research on Social Work Practice. 22, 1, p. 108-119
12 p.
Parent-adolescent concordance on perceived need for mental health services and its impact on service use
Williams, C. D., Lindsey, M. & Joe, S., Nov 2011,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 33, 11, p. 2253-2260
8 p.
Perceived stigma and depression among black adolescents in outpatient treatment
Rose, T., Joe, S. & Lindsey, M., Jan 2011,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 33, 1, p. 161-166
6 p.
Social network influences on service use among urban, African American youth with mental health problems
Lindsey, M. A., Barksdale, C. L., Lambert, S. F. & Ialongo, N. S., Oct 2010,
In : Journal of Adolescent Health. 47, 4, p. 367-373
7 p.
What Are Depressed African American Adolescent Males Saying About Mental Health Services and Providers?
Lindsey, M. A., Jun 10 2010.
Social Work with African American Males: Health, Mental Health, and Social Policy.
Oxford University Press
Social and clinical factors associated with psychiatric emergency service use and civil commitment among African-American youth
Lindsey, M. A., Joe, S., Muroff, J. & Ford, B. E., May 2010,
In : General Hospital Psychiatry. 32, 3, p. 300-309
10 p.
North carolina family assessment scale: Measurement properties for youth mental health services
Lee, B. R. & Lindsey, M. A., Mar 2010,
In : Research on Social Work Practice. 20, 2, p. 202-211
10 p.
African American youth
Lindsey, M. A. & Nebbitt, V., 2010.
Encyclopedia of Cross-Cultural School Psychology.
Clauss-Ehlers, C. (ed.).New York, N.Y.: Springer Publishing Company
Family matters: The role of mental health stigma and social support on depressive symptoms and subsequent help seeking among african american boys
Lindsey, M. A., Joe, S. & Nebbitt, V., 2010,
In : Journal of Black Psychology. 36, 4, p. 458-482
25 p.
Gender differences in behavioral outcomes among children at risk of neglect: Findings from a family-focused prevention intervention
Lindsey, M. A., Hayward, R. A. & DePanfilis, D., 2010,
In : Research on Social Work Practice. 20, 6, p. 572-581
10 p.
An in-home intervention program for children with mental health needs
Lindsey, M. A., Lee, B. R. & Sullivan, F. A., Feb 2009,
In : Psychiatric Services. 60, 2, p. 266-267
2 p.
Treatment Manual: <i>The Making Connections Intervention (MCI) Manual: Improving Treatment Acceptability among Adolescents in Mental Health Services.</i> Baltimore: University of Maryland
Lindsey, M., Bowery, E., Smith, K. & Stiegler, K., 2009.
Treatment Manual: <i>In-</i><i>Home Intervention Program for Children (IHIP-C) Manual. </i>Baltimore: University of Maryland
Lindsey, M., Lee, B.R., Sander, R.L., Sullivan, F.A., Park, J. & Morris-Compton, D., 2009.
Caregiver mental health, neighborhood, and social network influences on mental health needs among African American Children
Lindsey, M. A., Browne, D. C., Thompson, R., Hawley, K. M., Graham, J. C., Weisbart, C., Harrington, D. & Kotch, J. B., Jun 2008,
In : Social Work Research. 32, 2, p. 79-88
10 p.
Personal resources and homelessness in early life: Predictors of depression in consumers of homeless multiService centers
DeForge, B. R., Belcher, J. R., O'Rourke, M. & Lindsey, M. A., Mar 2008,
In : Journal of Loss and Trauma. 13, 2-3, p. 222-242
21 p.
Perceived parental behavior and peer affiliations among urban African American adolescents
Nebbitt, V. E., Lombe, M. & Lindsey, M. A., Sep 2007,
In : Social Work Research. 31, 3, p. 163-169
7 p.
Schools' provision of information regarding mental health and associated services to culturally diverse families
Serpell, Z., Clauss-Ehlers, C. & Lindsey, M. A., 2007.
Advances in School-Based Mental Health Interventions.
Evans, S. W., Weist, M. & Serpell, Z. (eds.).Kingston, NJ.: Civic Research Institute, Inc.
The influence of family environment on mental health need and service use among vulnerable children
Thompson, R., Lindsey, M. A., English, D. J., Hawley, K. M., Lambert, S. & Browne, D. C., 2007,
In : Child welfare. 86, 5, p. 57-74
18 p.
Help-seeking behaviors and depression among African American adolescent boys
Lindsey, M. A., Korr, W. S., Broitman, M., Bone, L., Green, A. & Leaf, P. J., Jan 2006,
In : Social Work. 51, 1, p. 49-58
10 p.
Building capacity in school mental health
Weist, M.D., Lindsey, M., Moore, E. & Slade, E., 2006,
In : International Journal of Mental Health Promotion. 8, 3, p. 30-36
Featured Research Project
Answering the Alarm on Black Youth Suicide
The National Institute of Mental Health has awarded the Silver School of Social Work and Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at NYU a five-year, $5.8 million R01 research grant to implement and study the effectiveness of a system of care for Black youth that combines suicide risk screening with an intervention to help connect at-risk youth to quality mental health services. The study, led by Dean Michael A. Lindsey, Pamela A. Morris-Perez of NYU Steinhardt’s ARCADIA for Suicide Prevention, and Cheryl A. King of the University of Michigan Youth Depression and Suicide Prevention Program, will be implemented at the emergency departments of Harlem Hospital and Kings County Hospital in New York City.
Selected Media Mentions
MedPage Today
Why Are Suicides Rising Among Black Youth?
August 26, 2022
BET
Saying Goodbye: Helping Kids Recognize And Talk About Grief
May 30, 2022
The Takeaway
Looking at the Youth Mental Health Crisis
May 25, 2022
The New Yorker
The Mystifying Rise of Child Suicide
April 11, 2022
Amsterdam News
Michael Lindsey’s calling was born out of observation
February 24, 2022
The New York Times
Why Are More Black Kids Suicidal? A Search for Answers.
November 23, 2021
Youth Today
Predictive analytics in child welfare raise concerns
November 17, 2021
Vox
America’s mental health moment is finally here
July 30, 2021
CBS News
Police brutality negatively impacts Black mental health, suicides rise
April 20, 2021
NPR
Black Teenagers With Mental Health Issues May Be Reluctant To Seek Help
December 15, 2020
People
We Need to Talk About Black Youth Suicide Right Now, Says Dr. Michael Lindsey
June 30, 2020
NBC News
Black youth suicide attempt rate increasing at alarming rate
June 22, 2020