Closing the Gap: Cultivating a Racially Equitable Mental Health Practice

Description

While many mental health professionals are now more aware of racial disparities in mental health, the field is predominantly White and there is a gap in understanding and subsequently, action. This interactive workshop will focus on increasing awareness of racism within mental health, building skills for managing emotions on race, and intentional action for racial equity and justice. This workshop seeks to guide participants on a journey of exploring their own mental health practice. Further, there will be space to reflect and discuss race and equity in the context of mental health services. The overarching goal is to move towards anti-racist practice.

Objectives:

a). Describe racial disparities in mental health

b). Describe ways to manage their emotions in difficult conversations about race

c). Evaluate their own practice, with particular attention to their knowledge, skills, and actions for racial equity

d). Identify at least two intentional actions to move towards using a racially sensitive approach to their work.

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Instructor(s): Amittia Parker, LMSW, MPA

Material Author(s): Amittia Parker, LMSW, MPA

Amittia Parker, LMSW, MPA has worked for a decade as a mental health consultant across a variety of settings in Kansas City, including home-based services, childcare centers, school-based services, and health clinics. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare and engaged in research, teaching, and service. Her research agenda is focused on promoting minority mental health, with a particular interest in Black and Latinx families with young children. Her current research projects focus on mental health among Black mothers and social work students, natural helping spaces, and behavioral health service availability and delivery. Amittia promotes racially sensitive practice both within the courses she teaches and in guest lectures. Amittia also provides training and consultation services focused on racial equity and mental health. She serves in leadership roles in local, state, and national venues focused on infant and early childhood, the African American community, and Black social workers.

For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.

Featured Materials :

Course materials (including the link to view live events) are sent to webinar and in-person attendees 24-48 hours before the event start time. Course materials for online asynchronous courses are found in the Lesson module after a course is purchased.