Twenty-fourth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

There is a multifaceted relationship between racist systems and adverse mental health outcomes for Black people within the United States. For example, a substantial body of research has linked racism to adverse mental health outcomes. Moreover, structural racism has been identified within the field of mental healthcare itself. Therefore, it is not surprising that Blacks report a disinclination to engage with systems such as mental healthcare, out of fear of discriminatory practices and losing things that are important to them, such as their children, home, or employment. Efficacious and ethical social work practice with Black clients requires that social workers be skilled in recognizing covert racism and its effects on mental health. It is imperative to develop these skills within social work education. However, with its obstinate hold, racism can be assumed to be present in social work education. We must reckon with racism in social work education and in our programs by taking action at the institution, program, curricular, and course levels. With careful examination, it may be found by identifying what appears in, or is absent from, our curricula, courses, and topics covered within our courses, in addition to what our behaviors as instructors’ model. For example, we must reflect on whether Black mental health is addressed as having distinct considerations as compared with other populations.