Racism has created lasting trauma that impacts generations. It can perpetuate inequities and can have persistent impacts on the mental health of minorities who experience various forms of discrimination daily. One study from Mental Health America shows that Native and Indigenous Americans experience higher rates of post traumatic stress disorder and alcoholic dependence. At the same time, depression in people of color has a higher likelihood of being more persistent. It is in the hands of the mental health professionals in whom these patients place their trust that the responsibility rests to combat this discrimination both in their practices and in their approach to treating these patients.
Challenging racial discrimination in psychology
Racism harms mental health by creating trauma, stress, and inequities that lead to conditions like depression and PTSD. Subtle daily acts of discrimination like being racially profiled or ignored cause sustained stress. Chronic stress can harm both mental and physical health. The forms of racism experienced include:
- Systemic/structural racism
- Institutional racism
- Interpersonal racism
- Internalized racism
In mental health practices, it can have a different effect. It can manifest in diagnostic disparities and biased therapeutic practices that fail to account for patient cultural differences. These challenges reduce access to care in communities that often need it the most as ideas around the care provided to minorities spread and cause a negative perception of the healthcare system.
It is in the hands of the mental health professionals dealing with these patients to address these issues by committing to systemic change. Communication plays a big part in this, allowing organizations to make efforts toward this systemic change by promoting an open dialogue between practitioners and their clients. When internal practices effectively provide for diversity in these clients, mental health practices can take the time to extend their practice to public outreach initiatives to educate communities about resources and dispel stigmas.
How to use HIPAA compliant email as a tool to combat racial discrimination in psychological practices
- Facilitate culturally informed communication: HIPAA compliant email allows mental health practices to securely share educational resources, surveys, and treatment plans to meet linguistic needs.
- Empower feedback mechanisms: Organizations can use HIPAA compliant email to solicit anonymous patient feedback about their experiences.
- Enable collaborative care for marginalized groups: Racial discrimination and social determinants of health often intersect. HIPAA compliant email allows for secure communication between psychologists, social workers, and community advocates.
- Provide accessible support: Patients in underserved or remote communities may face barriers to in-person therapy or follow-ups. HIPAA compliant email provides a way to schedule these appointments without telephonic or in-person communication.
- Track progress and address biases: Psychologists can use HIPAA compliant email to document and reflect on patient interactions by reviewing regular communications and identifying any patterns of biases.
Related: Top 12 HIPAA compliant email services
FAQs
Can patients decide on the platform their doctors use to communicate with them?
Patients can select their preferred method of communication but providers are responsible for informing them of the risks that regular email and faxing can cause.
What is consent?
Consent is an agreement to something that is voluntary with a full understanding of what is being agreed to.
When is consent necessary in medical communications?
Consent is necessary when discussing sensitive medical information with third parties or with third parties unrelated to the medical services provided.
Kirsten Peremore
