Implicit bias colors everything we do, and behavioral healthcare is no exception. Stigma regarding mental health challenges make talking about mental health taboo for many people of color. Historical adversity, including systemic racism, healthcare disparities, lack of access to culturally competent mental health resources, and socioeconomic challenges, place people of color at higher risk for poor mental health, yet there is a reluctance to recognize, or ask for help. This is due, in part to the implicit biases, both real and perceived that exist in our behavioral health delivery system. In his presentation, “Perception Is Everything”, Victor Armstrong will take a candid look at the historic challenges of African Americans as it pertains to access to care, receiving accurate diagnosis, and finding providers who appreciate and understand the nuances of race and ethnicity, and how this impacts behavioral health outcomes.
