Blog > Videos & Podcasts > Racism and Anti-Racism in Psychiatry: Addressing Mental Health Disparities
November 13, 2023 | Health EquiTEA Podcast | Dr. Jessica Isom
Dr. Jessica Isom joins the Health Equity Podcast to discuss racism and anti-racism in psychiatry, particularly in Black communities. She highlights the historical context of racism in psychiatry and the impact it has had on mental health care for Black individuals. Dr. Isom emphasizes the need for a developmental understanding of the field and the importance of incorporating equity and anti-oppression practices. She shares her personal journey in the field and the challenges she has faced as a Black psychiatrist. Dr. Isom also discusses the significance of culturally relevant care and the need for representation of Black mental health practitioners. She explores the intersectionality of race and mental health and the role of advocacy and activism in transforming the psychiatric profession.
“We have to formulate what the problem is and develop interventions based on research to address it.” – Dr. Jessica Isom
Dr. Jessica Isom is a Community Psychiatrist, Public Speaker, Medical Educator, and Consultant for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Projects. She has over 10 years of experience in building relationships with patients and colleagues from all walks of life. Dr. Isom is committed to eradicating racial and ethnic mental health disparities and mitigating the impact of implicit racial bias on clinical care. She is also dedicated to using a community-focused population health approach in psychiatric practice.