Title: Implicit Bias and Mental Health Professionals: Priorities and Directions for Research | Psychiatric Services
Headings: Implicit Bias and Mental Health Professionals: Priorities and Directions for Research
Implicit Bias and Mental Health Professionals: Priorities and Directions for Research
Abstract
Accessing Mental Health Care
Short- and Long-Term Treatment
Crisis Care
Criminal Justice
Implications and Directions for Future Research
Conclusions

Content: His vigilance in everyday life might be perceived as a natural consequence of racial profiling by one provider, whereas that same behavior might be interpreted as paranoia related to schizophrenia by another ( 8 ). This single difference in how a provider interprets symptom presentation can dramatically alter subsequent discussions surrounding the patient’s psychiatric symptoms or screening for specific conditions. Even with standardized diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5, providers of mental health services are more likely to underdiagnose affective disorders and overdiagnose psychotic disorders among patients from marginalized groups compared with the majority ( 9 ). With misdiagnosis comes the likelihood that mental health professionals will fail to refer patients to the appropriate health care professionals or will inadvertently withhold treatment. This situation presents an even bigger challenge with respect to engaging with communities on recognizing signs of mental illness. Further exploration is therefore needed regarding how service providers’ biases might influence mental health care engagement. Short- and Long-Term Treatment
Patients with mental disorders often require long-term care to control symptoms throughout the life course. Rapport between patient and provider can thus influence long-term treatment adherence. Despite the importance of this therapeutic alliance, persons with mental illness often report poor care experiences ( 10 ). Furthermore, patients with mental illness commonly experience microaggressions from health professionals throughout the care process ( 11 ).