The U.S. population is changing. Due to the population aging, the proportion of older adults is increasing. Meanwhile, the population is diversifying; while the population of non-Hispanic Whites is projected to decrease over the next four decades, the population of Hispanics of any race, African Americans, Asian Americans, and multiracial individuals is projected to grow.

While historically underrepresented groups have witnessed population growth since the 1970s, mental health needs have been unattended. Data compiled by the Office of Minority Health (2018) show that historically underrepresented groups are disproportionately affected by mental health needs across the lifespan, but receive mental health treatment with less frequency compared to non-Hispanic Whites. A host of cultural and systemic barriers to accessing care have been identified in the extant literature, while noting the crucial role of mental health service providers in facilitating access to care (Alegria, 2014; Alegria et al., 2016; Surgeon General, 2001).

Social workers represent a large proportion of the behavioral health workforce. In the U.S., there are more than 680,000 social workers, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2018) projects the profession to grow 16% from 2016 to 2026. A recent survey of new social work graduates showed 92% of new MSW graduates go into direct practice with individuals, families, and groups, but only 27% reported finding a job primarily addressing issues in mental health or substance abuse (Salzberg, Quigley, Aquaviva, Wyche, & Sliwa, 2018). Challenges to a diverse workforce remain: whereas 60,122 students were enrolled in social work master's degree programs nationally in 2015, only 38.7% of full-time students and 42.3% of part-time students come from historically underrepresented groups (CSWE, 2015).

The smaller number of racial and ethnic master's level social work students available for the behavioral health pipeline is especially significant as the populations most at need for mental health services are often racial/ethnic minority clients. Disparities in access to and use of behavioral health services underline the need for diverse and culturally competent service providers. Since the 1970's, one of the ways that the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has addressed the behavioral health needs across the U.S. is through the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), which targets, but does not limit, recruitment to American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, African Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos. These racial and ethnic groups are historically underrepresented in the delivery of behavioral health services (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014; Russell, 2010).

This session reviews the National Academies (2016) framework for educating on social determinants of health. Results from MFP evaluations will be used to highlight successful strategies to engage and support the professional development of masters and doctoral students committed to addressing the behavioral health needs of historically underrepresented groups. Implications and recommendations for behavioral health workforce recruitment and development will be discussed.

Format

Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity with post-test.

This presentation was recorded on November 12, 2020 at the virtual conference, Third National Conference on Advancing Early Psychosis Care in the United States: Addressing Inequities - Race, Culture, and COVID. 

Learning Objectives

• Identify at least one recommendation to implement in behavioral health training that addresses social determinants of health.
• Describe the 3 key features of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) that have supported masters and doctoral fellows.
• Identify at least one strategy to engage students from historically underrepresented groups to address disparities in behavioral health.

Outline

• Behavioral Health Inequities
• Social Determinants of Health
• Minority Fellowship Program
• Workforce Development

Target Audience

Psychologists, Social Workers, and Other Mental Health Professionals

Instructional Level

Introductory, Intermediate

Estimate Time to Complete

Estimated Duration: 1.0 hour
Program Start Date: May 3, 2021
Program End Date: May 3, 2024

How to Earn Credit

Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, CE credit for psychologists, CE credit for social workers, or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course, including viewing the full video (≥60 minutes) and submitting an evaluation. A multiple-choice quiz is provided based on the content. A passing score of 75% must be achieved. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians), CE certificate (psychologists), CE certificate (social workers), or certificate of participation (other disciplines) showing the completion date and hours/credits earned.

Continuing Education Credit

Physicians

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The APA designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Psychologists

The American Psychiatric Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. American Psychiatric Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Social Workers 

American Psychiatric Association, provider #1743, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. American Psychiatric Association maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 05/18/2020 – 05/18/2021 and 05/18/2021-05/18/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 (clinical) continuing education credits.

Continuing education requirements vary from state to state. Many state boards grant reciprocity with national accrediting organizations and other state boards. It is the responsibility of each professional to understand the requirements for license renewal or check with the state or national licensing board and/or professional organization to become more familiar with their policies for acceptable continuing education credit. Social workers and Psychologists should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval.

Faculty and Planner Disclosures

Instructors

• Duy Nguyen, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., M.S.W., is the Director of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-funded Minority Fellowship Program at the Council on Social Work Education. A gerontological mental health services researcher, his grant-funded research has revealed how sociocultural factors, especially differences among Asian ethnic groups and the aging process, affect health and mental health service use. As an educator, he has held faculty appointments at Columbia University, New York University and Temple University, where he has taught courses in research, statistics, and human behavior in the social environment. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Dr. Nguyen earned his B.A. and M.S.W. degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, and his Ph.D. from Columbia University. He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and the Society for Social Work and Research. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Program Planners

• Steven Adelsheim, M.D. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Catherine Adams, L.M.S.W., A.C.S.W., C.A.A.D.C. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Susan T. Azrin, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Iruma Bello, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Gary Michael Blau, M.S., Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Teri S. Brister, Ph.D., L.P.C.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Nybelle An-Vi Caruso, B.S.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Amy N. Cohen, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Robert O. Cotes, M.D.  Dr. Cotes discloses the following relationships: Consultant: Saladax Biomedical, American Psychiatric Association Grant/Research: Ostuka, Lundbeck, Roche, Alkermes
• Judith Dauberman, M.A., Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Steven P. Dettwyler, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Lisa B. Dixon, M.D., M.P.H.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Melissa Edmondson Smith, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Chantel Garrett. Ms. Garrett discloses the following relationships: Stock: Invitae, stockholder Livongo, stockholder Color, private equity holder Consultant: Maine Health Northwell Health One Mind Grant/Research: One Mind National Institute of Health
• Tristan Gorrindo, M.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Kate Hardy, ClinPsych.D.  Ms. Hardy discloses the following relationships: Consultant: SME for Click Therapeutics
• Robert K. Heinssen, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Brian Hepburn, M.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Patrick Kaufmann, B.S.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Sherin Khan, L.C.S.W. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Steven R. Lopez, Ph.D. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Ted Lutterman.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Tushita Mayanil, M.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Ryan Melton, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Oladunni Oluwoye , Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• Abram Rosenblatt, Ph.D.  Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.
• David L. Shern, Ph.D.  Dr. Shern discloses the following relationships: Grant/Research: Through my employment at NASMHPD, I co-chair the dissemination function of the Early Psychosis Intervention network as part of the national data coordinating center at Westat. Westat was awarded the coordinating center grant by NIMH Other: serve on the Board of Livanta

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