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Structural Racism Task Force

The APA Presidential Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry was formed by APA President Dr. Jeffrey Geller in June 2020. Read the announcement of the task force here.

The APA Board of Trustees Structural Racism Accountability Committee (SRAC) was formed in 2021 to ensure the recommendations of the 2020-2021 APA Presidential Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry (TFSR) are carried out. Learn more at the link below.

Learn more about SRAC here.

Charge of the Task Force

Focusing on organized psychiatry, psychiatrists, psychiatric trainees, psychiatric patients, and others who work to serve psychiatric patients, the Task Force is initially charged with:

  1. Providing education and resources on APA's and psychiatry's history regarding structural racism;
  2. Explaining the current impact of structural racism on the mental health of our patients and colleagues;
  3. Developing achievable and actionable recommendations for change to eliminate structural racism in the APA and psychiatry now and in the future;
  4. Providing reports with specific recommendations for achievable actions to the APA Board of Trustees at each of its meetings through May 2021; and
  5. Monitoring the implementation of tasks 1-4.

Task Force Membership

  • Cheryl Wills, M.D., DFAPA - Chair
  • RenĂ©e Binder, M.D.
  • Frank Clark, M.D., F.P.A.
  • Charles Dike, FRCPsych, MBChB, M.P.H.
  • Mary Jo Fitz-Gerald, M.D., M.B.A., DLFAPA
  • Danielle Hairston, M.D.
  • Hunter L. McQuistion, M.D., DLFAPA
  • Michele Reid, M.D., DLFAPA, FACPsych
  • Steven Starks, M.D., FAPA
  • Richard F. Summers, M.D.
  • Sanya Virani, M.D., M.P.H.

Task Force Survey Results

The Task Force has fielded three short, informal surveys to ensure its work is informed by the field of psychiatry at large.

Task Force News and Reports

Online Resources on Structural Racism in Psychiatry for Medical Students & Trainees in Psychiatry

Structural Racism

Racism in Psychiatry

Skills for Residents to Address Racism in Clinical Settings.

Recommended Reading

Webinars and APA Learning Center Activities

APA Position Statements

Visit the APA Policy Finder to search for and view the following Position Statements, and more:

  • Position Statement on Resolution Against Racism and Racial Discrimination and Their Adverse Impacts on Mental Health
  • Position Statement on Diversity and Inclusion in the Physician Workforce
  • Position Statement on Police Brutality and Black Males
  • Position Statement on Police Interactions with Persons with Mental Illness
  • Position Statement on Xenophobia, Immigration, and Mental Health
  • Resource Document on How Psychiatrists Can Talk to Patients and Families About Race and Racism

APA Press Releases, Blogs & Letters

Psychiatric News Articles

American Journal of Psychiatry Articles

APA Books

APA Podcasts

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