Addressing Systemic Racism in Mental Health Care

Systemic racism is a public health crisis that needs to be urgently and effectively addressed. Historical racism, contemporary biases, and prejudicial attitudes have persistently affected and damaged the mental health of people of color (POC) throughout the world. Although the 2021 apology from American Psychological Association (APA) acknowledged the profession’s contribution to racism, much more work needs to be done to rectify and address past and current harm. A comprehensive, actionable, and concrete plan is needed to catalyze change. Adopting a socioecological approach can help tackle the multiple levels in which discrimination and unequal treatment take place. This necessitates more than just addressing the social determinants of illness, but also transforming the cultural competence of providers, organizations, and the mental health delivery system. Key to improving outcomes for POC domestically and abroad is increasing the affordability and access to care, diversifying and improving the cultural competence of the mental health workforce, and developing culturally adapted and effective care tailored to meet the culture-specific needs of diverse communities. Progress can only happen through proactive action and utilization of an anti-racist stance that commits significant financial and scientific resources to promote institutional, structural, systemic, and policy changes.