"California Psychiatrist Highlights Overdiagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Black Youth"

California psychiatrist Dr. Rupi Legha asserts that the diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) disproportionately affects Black children, labeling them as "bad kids" and reinforcing systemic racism. This diagnosis accelerates their path through the school-to-prison pipeline, as noted in a recent report. Legha advocates for anti-racist solutions that address historical inequities and promote trauma-informed care, emphasizing the need for mental health providers to reevaluate their approaches to prevent further harm within educational and judicial systems.