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Diversity & Health Equity

Our Vision

APA members represent a diverse and culturally responsive community of psychiatrists that promote mental health equity through the provision of quality mental health care to all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religious orientation, and/or disability status.

Our Core Values

We value equity, inclusion, respect, mentorship, and collaboration.

Our Mission

  • Develop programs and resources to bring awareness to and support the needs of evolving, diverse, underrepresented, and underserved patient populations.
  • Implement strategies to enrich the diverse representation of psychiatrists within the APA.
  • Collaborate across multiple medical and non-medical sectors to end disparities in mental health care.
Diversity and Health Equity at APA Fall 2024 Update #AchieveMentalHealthEquity Cover

What's New

Achieve Mental Health Equity Update: Fall 2024

Each quarter, APA highlights the expertise and accomplishments of its member leaders and presents upcoming activities and learning opportunities for diversity and health equity.

Read this month's update here

Featured Events and Initiatives

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Structural Racism Accountability Committee

The APA BOT 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.

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Moore Equity in Mental Health 5K

Register today! Join us July 20, 2024 for a Virtual 5K: Run, Walk, or Roll benefitting APA Foundation's Moore Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program.

Explore Activities, Programs, and Initiatives

DEI News and Updates

  • November 26, 2024
  • Diversity News and Updates

Achieve Mental Health Equity Update: Fall 2024

In this issue, we bring you a closer look at transformative efforts and inspiring voices in the field of mental health equity. From spotlights on groundbreaking initiatives to deep dives into lifestyle psychiatry, each section is designed to provide updates, insights, and actionable guidance to strengthen our shared commitment to health equity.

  • November 25, 2024
  • Diversity News and Updates

Lifestyle Psychiatry and Social Determinants of Mental Health Spotlight: Gia Merlo, M.D. M.B.A., M.Ed.

Dr. Merlo is clinical professor of psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, associate editor of the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) past chair of the Mental and Behavioral Health Member Interest Group, member of three committees in ACLM (Research, Climate Change, and Positive Psychology), contributing author to ACLM’s board review course, and founding chair of the APA Caucus on Lifestyle Psychiatry and has recently been appointment chair of the APA Presidential Workgroup on Lifestyle Psychiatry.

  • November 25, 2024
  • Diversity News and Updates

Advocacy in Action: An Update on Maternal Mental Health

As a core component of APA’s advocacy strategy, promoting federal legislation that improves health and mental health outcomes for minority and underserved populations is central to combating the current lack of equitable healthcare available to all Americans.

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