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The UNC School of Medicine and UNC Department of Psychiatry are committed to the provision of equitable high-quality access to mental and behavioral healthcare for all people in need of assessment and treatment.  Improving mental health equity for our patients has been identified as a priority within our department.  This residency training track was developed as a tool to prepare future psychiatric clinicians, researchers, and leaders to adequately serve an increasingly diverse community.

The general psychiatry residents selected for this track will be involved in developing strategies to identify and reduce mental health inequities in the interconnected domains of patient care, research, education, and advocacy. The time dedicated to engagement in track activities ranges from one half day to one full day per week depending on the post graduate year. Engagement begins in PGY2.

Patient Care– Residents will have the opportunity to learn about the impact of mental healthcare disparities on historically under-represented and marginalized groups via direct engagement with patients, caregivers, providers, and experts in mental health disparities.  Residents may select to develop community engagement programs and quality improvement projects that will improve the provision of mental and behavioral healthcare along the continuum of care.

Research– Residents will have the opportunity to participate in The Mental Health Equity Program’s Research Core (MHEP-RC), which is committed to high quality and high impact integrative mental health wellness and disparities research. The goal is to provide a learning environment that consists of didactics, research development, and mentorship with a focus on mental health outcomes and wellness of diverse race and historically marginalized groups.

Education– Residents will have the opportunity to contribute to enhancing educational initiatives within the residency training programs, including a focus on improving cultural humility and sensitivity for clinicians, researchers, and staff.

 

 

Tye Hunt-Harrison MD, MPH

Director, The Mental Health Equity Residency Training Track

Director, The Mental Health Equity Program

 

Tamara Baker, PhD

Associate Director of Research, The Mental Health Equity Program