10 Antiracist Habits for Psychiatrists
These 10 high-yield steps to antiracism in psychiatry support those committed to achieving racial justice and equity both inside and outside of the clinical realm.
These 10 high-yield steps to antiracism in psychiatry support those committed to achieving racial justice and equity both inside and outside of the clinical realm.
Your “growing edge” represents an opportunity for change that must be embraced rather than avoided. When we are comfortable, we start to become complacent. We accept things the way they are, and we do not feel motivated to change ourselves or the systems around us. Discomfort challenges us, and to be our best and continue to grow, we need to challenge ourselves. This, in turn, allows for us to engage in critical reflection and intentional action.
Mindfulness-based practices are useful tools for personal development along the antiracism continuum. It involves an increased awareness of our emotions, thoughts, and surroundings, accompanied by a sense of acceptance and nonjudgment. As the lifelong antiracism journey continues, a capacity for keeping calm in the face of challenges cannot be underestimated.
In order to understand antiracism, a basic grasp of relevant language is needed. It is important to learn and appreciate the terminology (eg, race, racism, power, oppression, white supremacy, colorblind racial ideology) and unlearn your misunderstandings of the same. Practice making appropriate use of the language in writing and conversation. When we are able to explain terms to others, we will have gained a useful vocabulary for antiracism work. A useful tool is the APA Presidential Task Force on Structural Racism Glossary of Terms.
When entering a clinical room, history enters with us. We cannot control the past, but we can use our knowledge of it to inform the present and shape the future. We must acknowledge and respond to it. We must aim to understand how multilevel racism has shaped the histories of our patients, our profession, our own experiences, and our country.
Observing how we have been conditioned to apply a lens of racism to other human beings’ value, potential, and contributions is essential. White supremacist ideology is at the core of our nation’s founding and subsequent development. It has yet to be fully eradicated. Practice intentional recognition of the internal manifestations of white supremacist ideology and culture within yourself and begin to notice them in those around you. Although this can be a difficult undertaking, it is a key skill for antiracism work.
Racism is not constrained to interpersonal prejudice and behaviors. It is a systemic form of oppression that is supported by structural components found in every sphere of psychiatry. It is important to develop an antiracism lens for systems (such as health care, criminal justice, education, and housing) to illuminate and dismantle how racism shapes policies, practices, and cultural norms within them.
Become aware of the range of human differences across experiences, talents, skills, opinions, and personalities found within racial and cultural groups, especially those different from your own. This requires the adoption of inclusive attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to ensure the worth and dignity of all people are recognized.
To be antiracist is to go beyond mere words—it is to act. Antiracism drives individuals, organizations, and systems to intentionally operate in ways that subvert all forms of racism.
Resistance to change is a normal part of the antiracism process at the individual and organizational level. Be prepared to recognize how resistance reveals itself so that your commitment to change, and that of those around you, can be proactively sustained.
Antiracism is a quality improvement (QI), patient safety, and health equity endeavor. An improvement-oriented mindset is the foundation upon which success will occur. Incorporate principles of QI, safety, and equity into all aspects of psychiatric practice.
Antiracism is a quality improvement (QI), patient safety, and health equity endeavor. An improvement-oriented mindset is the foundation upon which success will occur. Incorporate principles of QI, safety, and equity into all aspects of psychiatric practice.
Jessica Isom, MD, MPH, is a clinical faculty member at Yale University where she teaches in the Social Justice and Health Equity Curriculum. Her primary clinical role is at the Codman Square Health Center.