Historical Timeline of Racism in the Mental Health Field
- webmaster0704
- Dec 13, 2024
- 2 min read
Early 1800s to Late 1800s
Medical Exploitation: Enslaved Black women were subjected to medical experiments without anesthesia, contributing to racial biases in pain perception.1
Indian Boarding Schools: Established to culturally assimilate Native American children, often leading to trauma and mental health issues. 1
Early 1900s to Mid 1900s
Misdiagnosis and Overdiagnosis: Black men were often over diagnosed with schizophrenia and underdiagnosed with PTSD and mood disorders. 2
Incarceration Over Treatment: BIPOC individuals were more likely to be incarcerated for mental health issues rather than receiving proper treatment. 2
Late 1900s to Early 2000s
Cultural Competency Efforts: The mental health field began focusing on increasing cultural competency training to address provider biases. 2
Diversifying Workforce: Efforts to diversify the mental health workforce to better represent and understand minority communities. 2
2020s
COVID-19 Pandemic: Highlighted existing racial health inequities, with people of color disproportionately affected by the pandemic. 3
Ongoing Efforts: Continued efforts to dismantle systemic racism in mental health care and increase access to culturally competent care. 3
Impact on Minorities: Past and Present
Past
Medical Exploitation: Enslaved women were subjected to painful medical experiments, leading to long-lasting mistrust in the medical system. 1
Misdiagnosis: Black men were often misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, leading to inappropriate treatment and stigmatization. 2
Incarceration: BIPOC individuals were more likely to be incarcerated for mental health issues, rather than receiving proper care. 2
Present
Access to Care: People of color are less likely to have access to mental health services and more likely to receive poor quality care. 2
Stigma and Discrimination: Experiences of racism and discrimination are associated with worse mental health outcomes. 4
Underrepresentation: Minorities are underrepresented in clinical trials and mental health research, leading to a lack of culturally sensitive care. 2
Current Practices Still Being Implemented
Cultural Competency Training: Ongoing training for mental health professionals to address biases and improve cultural understanding. 2
Diversifying Workforce: Continued efforts to increase the representation of minorities in the mental health field. 2
Telehealth and Digital Therapeutics: Leveraging technology to provide mental health support to underserved communities. 5
Trauma-Informed Care: Implementing care practices that recognize and address the impact of trauma on mental health. 4
By understanding the historical context and current practices, we can work towards a more equitable mental health system that provides effective care for all individuals, regardless of their race or background.
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