Racism & misogyny
Racism and misogyny have been built into every system, including the medical system. It's necessary to acknowledge that because of these systems, everyone has implicit biases. However, because these ideas have been built into people for centuries, many aren't even aware that their own prejudice is affecting how they interact with other groups. This includes how mental health professionals interact with their patients, even if they're unaware. patients feel these small differences. Also, much of both the medical field and psychology field have been based around white men. Most disorders were studied because a white man showed symptoms, and unfortunately it was mainly studied by white men as well. The first woman to earn a doctoral degree in psychology was Margaret Floy Washburn in 1894, but even then she was refused her degree. The first person of color to earn a PhD in psychology was a black man named Francis Sumner in 1920. Women and POC were excluded from the field throughout history, so many of the most prominent ideas in psychology came from white men.
Also, there has been a long history of mistreatment of women and POC in all medical communities, this has led to many groups not trusting professionals. It's important that when they seek treatment, it's easy for people to find someone they trust to help them.
Also, there has been a long history of mistreatment of women and POC in all medical communities, this has led to many groups not trusting professionals. It's important that when they seek treatment, it's easy for people to find someone they trust to help them.
Intersectionality
Race and gender are not the only things that affect mental health treatment. Intersectionality is the idea that different social classifications, such as race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, overlap to impact privilege and discrimination. This means that a white woman might experience these issues differently than a black woman, or a poor person of color could have a different experience than a wealthy person of color. There are many factors that affect mental health treatment, including:
Economic class, insurance availability, location, employment status, housing, cultural backgrounds, physical health issues, and personal past experiences.
Though it's impossible to look into all of these things at once, it's important to be aware of their existence. Women and POC are not a monolith, and every member of each group will have very different experiences.
Economic class, insurance availability, location, employment status, housing, cultural backgrounds, physical health issues, and personal past experiences.
Though it's impossible to look into all of these things at once, it's important to be aware of their existence. Women and POC are not a monolith, and every member of each group will have very different experiences.