A Series of Three Parts

I teamed up with a colleague and friend of mine, Laura Lu, to create a three-part series titled Racial Disparities and Discrimination in Mental Health Diagnosis & the DSM.  This series begins to unpack the presence of racism in the history of mental health diagnosis, current racial biases in diagnosis and mental health treatment, and factors that perpetuate racial disparities and discrimination in the field of mental health.

Part III: Racial Bias & Cultural Influences on Mental Health Diagnosis

To conclude this series, Part III explores various ways that racial bias and cultural factors contribute to the misdiagnosis & expression of mental health issues in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color).

If you haven’t already, begin with Part I, an introduction to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and two racially discriminatory & oppressive diagnoses coined prior to the development of the DSM. Next, visit Part II, an overview of patterns of mental health diagnosis and misdiagnosis in BIPOC in comparison with White individuals. 

Want to Learn More?

This series is grounded in research. If you’re interested in learning more on these topics, a great place to start is with the research articles that are referenced in Part III as well as Part I and Part II. For more information on the intersection of mental health and social justice, read about racism, stress, and chronic illness and tune into a conversation on the essential role of social justice in mental health and wellness. Additionally, check out my guide on self-care as political resistance for BIPOC.

Continue the Conversation

We created this series to help spread awareness of how racism is embedded in the history of mental health diagnosis and continues to guide the misdiagnosis of BIPOC. The material covered in this series is not meant to serve as a comprehensive guide. Rather, it’s meant to highlight important issues at the intersection of mental health and social justice, and to start conversations surrounding how mental health treatment can be made more equitable and effective for all.

Thank you for joining us on this journey of decolonizing the field of mental health and highlighting diverse narratives.