Nola Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) has introduced the Mental Health Workforce Act which addresses the urgent crisis of the lack of diversity among mental health care providers in the United States. This bill incentivizes students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to pursue careers as mental health care practitioners by offering student loan forgiveness in exchange for a commitment to serving communities of color as mental health practitioners for five years after graduation.

“I am committed to fighting for greater representation and inclusivity in mental health care,” said Rep. Carter. “My Mental Health Workforce Act will help to end the lack of diversity among mental health care providers while increasing the number of culturally competent professionals.”

Numerous barriers to access mental health care treatment persists in communities of color, including the stigma associated with mental illness, general distrust of healthcare institutions, and lack of health insurance. The Mental Health Workforce Act begins to address these systemic inequities.

“There are thousands of people in Baton Rouge that may not qualify for inpatient psychiatric services but can benefit from outpatient therapy,” said Brooke Battiste, Administrator of Riverview Behavioral Health LLC. “Participation in outpatient programs can substantially reduce the risk of inpatient admissions. The mental health crisis has devastated minorities. At Riverview, we give patients the opportunity to receive help from someone who can identify with and understand the cultural norms and stigmas that may prevent them from seeking assistance. The work we do is needed, and red tape should not prevent us from reaching those in need.”

Background

According to the American Psychological Association, 86% of U.S. psychologists in 2015 were white, and in 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that close to 70% of U.S. social workers and 88% of mental health counselors were white. A recent American Psychology Association study found that Black Americans are still less likely to receive guideline-consistent care, are less frequently included in research studies, and are more likely to resort to emergency rooms or primary care instead of seeking help from mental health specialists.

The Mental Health Workforce Act was co-sponsored by 24 Members of Congress, including Reps. Marilyn Strickland (D-Wa.), Joyce Beatty (D-Oh.), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), Donald G. Davis (D-Nc.), Jahana Hayes (D-Ct.), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), Jennifer L. McClellan (D-Va.), Valerie P. Foushee (D-Nc.), Barbara Lee (D-Ca.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Tx.), Terri A. Sewell (D-Al.), Sanford D. Bishop (D-Ga.), Gregory W. Meeks (D-Ny.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Shontel M. Brown (D-Oh.), Summer L. Lee (D-Pa.), Jonathan L. Jackson (D-Il.), Henry C. “Hank,” Jr. (D-Ga.), Andre Carson (D-In.), Shelia Jackson Lee (D-Tx.), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), James E. Clyburn (D-Sc.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Nj.), and Robin L. Kelly (D-Il.),  and was endorsed by Riverview Behavioral Health LLC.

Original source can be found here.