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:

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

Task Force Membership

Cheryl Wills, M.D., DFAPA - Chair
Renée 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.

Survey #1, fielded between June 30 and July 10, 2020, asked: "What are the top three areas the Task Force should focus on to address the impact of structural racism on our patients?" The top themes of the answers from about 485 respondents were: "Access to care," "Professional diversity," and "Experiences of racism." View a summary of results from the first survey here (.pdf)
Survey #2, fielded between July 23 to August 6, 2020, asked: "What are the top three ways that institutional racism is reflected in APA as an organization?" The top themes of the answers from 731 respondents were: "Diversity in leadership," "None exists at APA," and "Other." View a summary of results from the second survey here (.pdf)
Survey #3, fielded between October 5 to 23, 2020 covered eight questions focused on racism in psychiatric practice. View a summary of results from the third survey here (.pdf)
Survey #4, fielded between March 29 - April 14, 2021 focused on how psychiatrists can support racial equity. View a summary of results from the third survey here (.pdf)

Task Force News and Reports

Final Report of the Presidential Task Force on Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry, May 11, 2021 (.pdf)
Report of the Presidential Task Force on Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry to the APA Board of Trustees, Mar. 12, 2021 (.pdf)
Report of the Presidential Task Force on Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry to the APA Board of Trustees, Dec. 12, 2020 (.pdf). At its December 2020 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved Actions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 requested by the Task Force. It voted to consider and revisit Action 5 at its March 2021 meeting.
Take the Well-Being Self Assessment 2.0. APA is seeking to learn more about well-being and burnout among psychiatrists in general and among minority and underrepresented psychiatrists, specifically.
November 2020 Update: During the November 2020 Town Hall, Dr. Michele Reid, member of the APA Board of Trustees and Structural Racism Task Force member, presented an update on the work of the Task Force. Read the report here (.pdf) and watch her update at this timestamped video.
Report of the Presidential Task Force on Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry to the APA Board of Trustees, Sept. 13, 2020)(.pdf)
At its October 2020 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved Actions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 requested by the Task Force. APA members can review the Board of Trustees meeting minutes on the Governance Meeting Archives page.
A Psych News Q&A with Task Force Leadership: APA Task Force Charged With Examining Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry, July 30, 2020
APA Presidential Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry Begins Its Work, July 2, 2020
New APA task force seeks to address structural racism through psychiatry, Mental Health Weekly, July 10, 2020
Summary of Component Actions - December 12, 2020 (.pdf)

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