Moving Beyond Cultural Competency: Addressing Inequality of Race and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Mental Health Services

Numerous research studies have explored the differences in mental health outcomes by racial group, but very little exists about the variability in the prevalence of mental illness among racial and ethnic groups. Furthermore, limited research explores the intersecting and compounded interpersonal institutional, structural, and cultural factors that contribute to the disparities in access and utilization of mental health services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender non-conforming, Queer, Intersex individuals of color. While the LGBTGNCQI+ community has become more visible in society, research on the mental health needs of LGBTGNCQI+ communities of color remains sparse. More research, data and conversation are needed to explain the differences in mental health access and utilization at the intersection of LGBTGNCQI+ communities of color.

Using intersectional and intersecting frameworks of Queer Theory, conflict theory, minority stress, and critical race theory, this roundtable aims to contribute to the literature about the underutilization of mental health services by racial and ethnic LGBTGNCQI+ individuals, and strive towards a better understanding for which factors may contribute to inequality. Each panelist will explore the sociocultural and psychosocial factors that contribute to interpersonal, institutional, and systemic barriers to care and the resulting impediments to mental health care over the life course.

Panelists will discuss disparities in mental health including implicit bias, self-stigma, discrimination, compounded trauma, access and utilization and treatment. Additionally, panelists will consider data collection, cultural competency and behavioral health system transformations through the legal and political transformation. Panelists will explore crosscutting themes and disparities in risk as related to racial and ethnic identity, orientation and gender identity. The roundtable discussion will underscore the importance of social, economic, and cultural influences as they impact the treatment of mental illness and further contribute to inequality.

The overarching goal of this panel is to present data on current unmet mental health needs of LGBTGNCQI+ communities of color and discuss possible causal and contributing factors. An open discussion on the compounding interpersonal, institutional, structural, and cultural factors that propagate racial and economic inequality will shed light on contributors to inequality. An outcome of this roundtable will be interdisciplinary dialogue that supports further research examining inequality in LGBTGNCQI+ communities of color. Questions to be addressed during this roundtable may include:

• How are race, sexual orientation and gender identity data and information currently collected? • What is the state of mental health, and use of mental health services, for LGBTGNCQi+ communities of color? • What historical and sociocultural factors influence racial and economic inequality in LGBTGNCQI+ communities of color? • What strengths, protective factors and resiliences may LGBTGNCQI+ communities of color draw from as they navigate the mental health system? • Which policy decisions affect the LGBTGNCQI+ communities of color? And how? • What are our responsibilities as students, scholars, practitioners and clinicians to address unmet mental health needs and gaps? • What are some interventions and strategies that could be implemented at the macro- mezzo- and micro- levels to address the unmet social and service needs and gaps of LGBTGNCQI+ communities of color?