Introduction to the special section on racial disparities in psychiatric rehabilitation services.

Abstract

Although racial disparities in psychiatric rehabilitation services are not new, the urgency of systematic approaches to address them has gained increased attention. In particular, the current social and political climate has spotlighted historically persistent and universally prevalent problems in equitable care. This special section, consisting of six studies and a Letter to the Editor, reveals the operation and impact of structural racism and highlights the need for race-conscious practice and research in psychiatric rehabilitation. Impact and ImplicationsRacially minoritized individuals with mental health challenges encounter systemic disadvantages not only due to stigma related to mental illness, but also due to their minorized racial status in psychiatric rehabilitation. Addressing racial disparities requires attention to structural-level racism, where multiple factors (e.g., structure and processes of service delivery, interpersonal relations) are often interwoven to generate and sustain marginalization at various levels.