COVID-19, Structural Racism, and Mental Health Inequities: Policy Implications for an Emerging Syndemic

This article proposes steps that can be taken to protect "essential workers" and other "vulnerable" populations; engage and empower communities; optimize community-led crisis response interventions; improve data collection about the intersection of COVID-19, structural racism, and mental health inequities; support school-based interventions; expand financial supports for mental health service delivery; expand health care insurance coverage to increase access and lower out-of-pocket costs; and promote workforce diversity. Emphasis on local, state, and federal policy interventions that prioritize equity and justice and focus on collective health and well-being will ultimately lead us on a more sustainable and equitable path.PMID:33622042 | DOI:10.1176/appi.ps.202000725
Source: Psychiatric Services - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Source Type: research