Championing racial equity within mental health systems: Perceptions and experiences among state government organization staff leading the charge.

The COVID-19 pandemic and police brutality, especially the murder of George Floyd, have intensified the focus on racial equity within a diverse array of organizations. While a variety of strategies are employed in the pursuit of racial equity in mental health care, there is a notable gap in recognizing the crucial role of individual staff driving change within organizations. Few studies have examined these individuals and the ways they think about their work and its impact.

Operationalizing antiracism in health systems: Strategies state government administrative organizations use towards racial and ethnic mental health equity.

Although a growing body of literature recommends strategies for improving racial equity in organizations and populations, little is known about how racial equity goals are operationalized in actuality, particularly in the context of state health and mental health authorities (SH/MHAs) attempting to promote population wellness while navigating bureaucratic and political constraints. This article seeks to examine the number of states engaging in racial equity work in mental health care, what strategies SH/MHAs use to improve their state's racial equity in mental health care, and how the workforce understands these strategies. A brief survey of 47 states found that all but one state (98%) is enacting racial equity interventions in mental health care.