A city councilor and social worker wants to address stigmas, barriers, and systemic racism people of color face in the mental healthcare industry.
Worcester At-Large Councilor Khrystian King is leading the working group called "clinicians of color," which had its first meeting Monday night. The group is made up of BIPOC (Black, Indigenious, People of Color) mental health clinicians and other healthcare providers and is part of the Mayor's Mental Health Task Force. The group will create a supportive space for clinicians of color to reflect on experiences and lead a public education and awareness campaign. It will also address difficulties communities face accessing mental health care, and explore opportunities for more people of color to join the field.
"And really thinking about what it means in this time in history to be a clinician of color and what we can do to improve the lives of others who are being traumatized by images on TV and images of folks who are dying without justice," said King.
Councilor King says the group has many members so far and the group is expected to grow.