Dimensions of Institutional Racism in Psychiatry
MELVIN SABSHIN M.D.1,
HERMAN DIESENHAUS PH.D.2, , and
RAYMOND WILKERSON M.D.3
1 Professor and head, department of psychiatry, University of Illinois at the Medical Center, P. O. Box 6998, Chicago, Ill. 60680
2 Assistant professor of psychology, department of psychiatry, University of Illinois at the Medical Center, P. O. Box 6998, Chicago, Ill. 60680
3 Assistant professor of psychiatry and director of the inpatient service, department of psychiatry, University of Illinois at the Medical Center, P. O. Box 6998, Chicago, Ill. 60680
Defining institutional racism in terms of self-perpetuating barriers to blacks' participation as equals in all areas of psychiatry, the authors review the influence of white racism on the image of the black patient, neglected problem areas, treatment accessibility, community mental health, research, and the professional functioning of psychiatrists. These analyses lead to specific recommendations for new institutionalized practices to be supported by the white power structure of psychiatry if eradication of racism in psychiatry is to be accomplished.
