Deconstructing institutional racism and the social construction of whiteness: A strategy for professional competence training in culture and migration mental health

Abstract

The position presented in this article draws on the professional insights of the authors, reflecting on issues of global political importance in culture and migration mental health. As institutional theory perspectives continue to develop, solutions to complex social problems such as racism require embodied knowledge if the lines of authority and basic occupational routines are to be meaningfully renegotiated. Embodied knowledge is socially situated and self-reflexive and reflects cumulative and marginalized experiences that contribute to a better understanding of institutional racism and the social construction of whiteness. The authors foreground the development of critical consciousness and emotional literacy in order to be more professionally competent in institutional contexts of mental health training, education and practice. To this end, elements of due process, transparency, inclusiveness, community engagement and accountability are at the center of a political and intellectual movement towards epistemological justice to promote antiracism and social justice in culture and migration mental health. The authors define decolonial intersectionality as a clear philosophical vision outlining how best to respond to those at risk of experiencing racism and the associated mental health burdens.

Internalizing the poison: A moderated mediation analysis of LGBTQ+ BIPoC college students’ experiences with intersectional microaggressions.

“…Ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1989) suggests how both racism and heterosexism operate at societal levels-macrosystems (e.g., systemic and institutional racism or heterosexism) and individual levels-microsystems (racial or sexual microaggressions). Macrosystems of oppression in higher education have been explored in the literature (Lazaridou & Fernando, 2022), yet less is known about microaggressions, particularly when these include multiple forms of oppression. The term "intersectional microaggressions" derives from the framework of intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1991), which highlights how systems of oppression support one another.…”

Global migration: Moral, political and mental health challenges

“…Although specialized services can provide crucial adjuncts to routine care (Kirmayer & Jarvis, 2019;Larchanché, 2020), mental health professionals need specific training and skills for intercultural work with individuals, families, and communities. This must include attention to systemic racism and discrimination, while promoting cultural humility and safety (Lazaridou & Fernando, 2022).…”

Racism and psychosis: an umbrella review and qualitative analysis of the mental health consequences of racism

“…A meta-analysis by Paradies et al [ 23 ] concludes that racism is a social determinant of health and a review by Fusar-Poli et al [ 24 ] concludes that governmental support of innovations aimed at strengthening the social determinants of health is required. With this is in mind, mental health leaders and their institutions must prioritize professional competence that considers culture, racism and migration-related stress factors in the context of seeking to understand and remedy mental health burden [ 25 ]. Evidence suggests that in terms of paranoid thinking, the cognitive evaluation of motives, meaning, and relevance around racism affects the general population and persons with attenuated symptomatology to the same degree [ 26 ].…”