Think, Ask, Act: The Intersectionality of Mental and Reproductive Health for Judicially Involved Girls

Danielle Smith, a 16-year-old African-American female newly detained at juvenile hall, presents for psychiatric evaluation. She describes a past history of sexual abuse by her foster father and two years of commercial sexual exploitation after running away at the age of 14. Scarcely more than 100 pounds, she endorses drug use, primarily marijuana, and also notes prior use of cocaine and methamphetamine, provided by her trafficker (described as her “boyfriend”). She has a timid smile and uses music and journaling as her refuge. Danielle is unclear about past psychiatric diagnoses, but does recall receiving medication from a psychiatrist while in foster care and expresses interest in resuming treatment.