Cultural Psychiatry

What can be done about racism? We're so glad you asked.

The medical community must examine how and what we can do to welcome and serve the black and brown communities that may view us as the authority they dare not call.

Psychiatrists should be experts at hearing and seeing what is not visible. That is exactly what we need to do to let the sun shine through the racist dust.

Psychiatrists are in a unique position to actively address the collective trauma caused by rampant and persistent race-based disparities in health care and police violence.

The recent ghastly killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd serve as a reminder that the pursuit of happiness and longevity remain a dream deferred for Black America due to systemic racism.

A social determinants framework requires that we treat the parallel diseases of COVID-19 and racism as equally detrimental to the health and well-being of our patients.

Racism is one of the ugliest aspects of human nature. It is still present today in all walks of life.

Grandpa Murray, rags to riches, American big shot, the man who dreamt even bigger for his first grandson when he placed a doctor’s bag in my crib . . . the proudest man at my med school graduation.

The country has erupted into a wave of anger that demands justice and reform; but what can we, psychiatrists, do when we hear “code black”?

It might be advisable to bring in psychiatrists to keep the peace and not federal troops.

Frank A. Clark, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville, SC, presents a timely slice of poetic history.

A virtuoso concert pianist and psychiatrist's "play" on the role of music in healing and the influence of psychological and medical factors on the creative output of the great composers in music history.

The Navajo population are vulnerable to lung disease due to decades of exposure to uranium mines and the use of wood or coal for heat and cooking. It is now vulnerable to COVID-19.

Despite the high levels of resilience, refugee populations are vulnerable and require that the health system continues to provide care during crises.

Different groups are more susceptible to COVID-19, both socially and medically, which is why cultural sensitivity is so important during this time.

We are seeing a rise in hatred and lack of empathy in the face of COVID-19.

FaceTime, Skype, and other video chat functions are the new normal in the COVID-19 era, and allow this community psychiatrist serve the underserved.

In a time of panic, despair, and demoralization, art continues to inspire the author's reflections as it has over the last 40 years. Here, he shares some images that he finds inspirational and helpful. Even in winter there is hope.

Strange Fruit was written by a Jewish schoolteacher after seeing a disturbing picture of a black man, lynched in the South. But what does this song have to do with the Coronavirus pandemic?

“Recently, I had the opportunity to teach seminary students on the subject of mental health and its interface with spirituality and religion.”

Read the Psychiatric Times issue cover-to-cover, with a bonus PDF.

Neighborhoods, tribes, gangs-each have their own culture. Unless you have been raised in one of them and are "known," you come as a stranger.

You would think that psychiatrists are well-versed in religion and spirituality, but the reality is that they are barely touched upon during our training.

Albina Veltman, MD, FRCPC and Tara La Rose, MSW, PhD, RSW, provide Suggestions on how to create an LGBTQ-positive space in health care settings.

Read the Psychiatric Times February 2020 issue cover-to-cover, with a bonus PDF.

Access to care has improved-especially for low-income and vulnerable populations-which has resulted in better health outcomes.

As clinicians, how do we elevate our humanity to connect with the entire patient? How do we expand our knowledge base, move beyond our implicit biases and understand the critical role of culture?

13 psychiatry stories you may have missed: A round-up of the latest issue of Psychiatric Times, all in one place, with a bonus PDF.

Although there is ongoing political crisis in Hong Kong, many people are confident that the crisis will resolve. However, the mental health crisis may last for decades.

It is a new year, an election year, with impeachment looming and the Iranian conflict-funnily enough, this book is not about the President of the United States. It's all about cults.