The role of population-level, anti-racist interventions in addressing inequities in mental health
Mark Sladen and David Woodhead
Racism is built into systems and institutions that shape daily life. Structural racism influences the key building blocks of health – including work, housing and access to green space, affecting mental health throughout life.
Population-level interventions that address these social determinants of health are essential to tackling racism’s impact on mental health. By moving beyond individual clinical interventions towards prevention, they can reduce health inequalities. Shifting power explores how health systems and services can address the impacts of racism through these interventions and end systemic harm to racialised communities.
The report finds that community organisations are essential to preventing mental ill health and providing culturally competent care. As well as the adoption of anti-racist approaches in public health services, the report calls for a shift power to communities, including by funding third sector organisations to lead community-based support.
The current hostile political climate and increasing overt racism are increasing fear and harm for people from racialised communities. Public health services have a critical role to play in preventing mental health problems, and must embrace system change, not just individual level interventions. At every level of government, action is needed to address the causes of racial inequalities in mental health.
