In July, Array recognizes BIPOC Mental Health Month which was formally initiated in 2008 to bring awareness to the mental health needs and unique struggles of racialized ethnic communities (I.e., those culturally identifying as Black, Indigenous/American Indian/Alaska Native, Latino/Hispanic, and Asian American/Pacific Islander). We want to ensure that no individuals or groups feel marginalized when it comes to accessing mental health care. This month is meant to highlight ways to support and provide resources for a growing population of BIPOC individuals in the US. Array will be sharing information and resources on this topic throughout the month.
Given the theme of the month and Array’s commitment to continuously work towards being an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural and just organization, Array also wants to address the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling which restricts the consideration of race and ethnicity in higher education admissions.
Array stands with professional organizations including the APA, AACAP and AMA in our stance that this decision poses a threat to diversity within the mental health care field, which could consequently limit access to appropriate care for individuals in BIPOC communities across the country.
Race-conscious admissions policies are designed to address structural and systemic barriers that hinder access to higher education for underrepresented students. Research shows that lack of educational attainment beyond high school can lead to greater socioeconomic challenges that perpetuate health inequities in racialized ethnic groups. Lack of representation within healthcare fields also has negative physical and mental health impacts on minoritized populations. Array believes that a diverse mental health workforce is critical to providing quality mental healthcare for all and addressing the mental health inequities that minoritized individuals experience.
As we process these recent policy decisions and their long-term impacts, we encourage Array team members to first and foremost take care of their own mental health and continue to educate themselves on cultural competency and the mental health of BIPOC communities.
We are thankful to our Array team members for their daily hard work and dedication to help increase access to high quality mental health care.
