APA’s Division of Diversity and Health Equity Launches New Strategic Plan
Abstract
The plan will engage APA members and advance APA’s work in ending disparities in mental health care.
As part of its effort to ensure all patients, regardless of their background, receive high-quality mental health care in innovative ways, APA’s Division of Diversity and Health Equity (DDHE) has developed a new vision and strategic plan under the leadership of Regina James, M.D.
“Understanding that these are challenging times for everyone, we want to ensure that our plan is inclusive, paying particular attention to those with mental illness and substance use disorders who are marginalized and medically underserved.” —Regina James, M.D.
James was appointed DDHE’s chief and APA’s deputy medical director in 2020. While developing the new vision and strategic plan, she and her growing staff initially conducted an analysis to determine what the division had already accomplished and how they could use that as a foundation of their work going forward.
This is DDHE’s vision: “That members of APA represent a diverse and culturally responsive community of psychiatrists that promote mental health equity through the provision of quality mental health care to all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religious orientation, and/or disability status.”
“To set the vision in motion, we wanted to develop a framework or foundation of actions that we could share with members to get their feedback,” James said.
The strategic plan outlines five priority areas on which DDHE is focusing:
Promote awareness of the mental health needs of diverse, underrepresented, and underserved populations. “We knew one of the most important areas of our strategic plan involved bringing awareness to mental health inequities,” James said. “This tenet of the plan allows us to educate, advocate, inspire, and empower multiple stakeholders to work toward mental health equity, ensuring the inclusion of marginalized and underserved communities.” The division will host the inaugural Moore Equity in Mental Health 5K Run/Walk/Roll virtually on Saturday, July 10. In partnership with the APA Foundation, this event will promote awareness and raise funds for individuals and organizations that support awareness programs and provide services to improve the mental health of youth from diverse backgrounds.
Develop strategic partnerships with other medical and nonmedical organizations to address inequities regarding access to care for mental and substance use disorders. “We know that the integration of behavioral health and general medical services improves patient mental health outcomes, so part of our strategic plan is focused on developing and strengthening partnerships,” James pointed out. The division plans to work closely with other medical, community, and grassroots groups. Most recently DDHE launched the APA Mental Health Equity Fireside Chats with a two-part webinar titled “The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of African Americans.” Both featured speakers from other organizations and are archived at psychiatry.org/FiresideChats.
Foster an inclusive professional development pathway for psychiatry trainees. “The Minority Fellowship Program has been part of APA for nearly 40 years, and DDHE is dedicated to continuing and enhancing mentorship and leadership opportunities for the APA fellows,” James explained.
Support and expand APA member diversity. “We are committed to working with APA members and various divisions within the APA administration to develop innovative ways to encourage diversity within APA,” James said. DDHE is developing a diversity and health equity newsletter to which members, particularly trainee and early career psychiatrists, will be encouraged to submit articles and highlight professional accomplishments.
Strengthen DDHE’s program management to demonstrate impact. As DDHE develops new or continues existing programs, it will develop metrics to evaluate each program’s impact.
James added that the strategic plan is a dynamic document. “As needs change over time, the plan will change, too,” she said. The goal is to engage with members as much as possible. She said she envisions a virtual “boots on the ground” approach, in which DDHE staff reach out to members for one-on-one conversations.
“This is a plan that will strategically advance APA’s work in ending disparities in mental health care,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. “Dr. James and her division have my support and that of APA’s membership in this work, as it is critical not just to the future of APA but also that of our country.” ■
