First things first, shout out to ENVIVE, Lisa and Laurie for the inspiration for this post. I love working near and with you both! Check them out right here: https://www.envivesolutions.com/
In our diverse society, the concepts of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIBJA) are not just trendy words; they are key elements that can greatly enhance the quality of services in the behavioral health field. Understanding how these principles connect can help organizations provide a more complete approach to health, taking into account the unique identities and experiences of individuals.
The Significance of Diversity in Behavioral Health
Diversity in behavioral health organizations leads to a richer array of perspectives and methods for patient care. When teams include members from various backgrounds, they are better equipped to address the specific needs of the communities they serve.
For example, organizations with diverse staff have been shown to improve patient satisfaction by up to 30%. This improvement is largely due to their ability to build cultural competency, which is vital for gaining the trust of clients with different cultural backgrounds. A healthcare provider that speaks the same language or shares similar cultural experiences with a patient often sees better treatment adherence and outcomes.
Diversity also drives innovation. Organizations that embrace various viewpoints can develop unique solutions that meet the needs of different populations. For instance, in a community where certain ethnic groups have been historically underserved, a culturally diverse team can create targeted outreach programs that resonate with those communities, significantly increasing service utilization by 25% within the first year.
Embracing Equity for Fair Treatment
Equity means not just treating everyone the same, but ensuring each person has fair access to resources. In behavioral health, this is essential. Many individuals face unique challenges that affect their mental health outcomes. This is where we must attend to whole health, and the entire health eco system of each community.
For instance, those living in low-income areas may lack access to quality care, leading to poorer health outcomes. Research highlights that people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are up to 40% more likely to experience mental health issues without adequate support. Identifying these disparities and actively working to eliminate barriers can help create a fair environment where everyone is treated equitably. Whole health is a pathway forward for this process, ex., can we find out what resources area available, name the barriers, find additional services, or recruit partners from other areas to take on one community at a time for solutions? Then can we work with towns, cities, county's and states to create a multilayers whole health whole community approach to well being? This would also include social determinants of health and addressing each one for each neighborhood.
By prioritizing equity-focused initiatives, organizations can build trusting relationships with clients, leading to a 15% increase in client engagement over time.
Inclusion: Creating Welcoming Environments
Inclusion involves fostering environments where every individual feels valued and respected. This is crucial for client retention and engagement in behavioral health settings. For this to even be on the table we have to acknowledge our privilege and power, whether we want to or not. Speaking for myself, and I wish you to try it out, I am an over educated, white woman who owns a business. This is power and privilege. I can use it to build my ego or I can use it to build community, find resources and ask my colleagues to do the same.
For example, training staff in active listening and cultural humility supports clients in feeling courageous sharing their experiences. A welcoming environment can improve client retention rates by as much as 30%. Additionally, adapting services to meet diverse needs, such as offering therapy in various languages, not only broadens client access but also demonstrates a commitment to inclusion.
Tailored approaches show clients they are understood and valued, leading to enhanced treatment effectiveness. This can include asking clients what they want in a space for healing, if thee are traditional, spiritual, and cultural things that they want to have included in the treatment and the space where they see you. This can also include taking the step to say out loud that "I don't know and I need to do some more homework."
Fostering Belonging in the Behavioral Health Space
Belonging is a key psychological need. When clients feel they belong, they are more likely to participate fully in therapy.
Organizations should strive to create a sense of belonging by making clients integral to the treatment process. This must include integrating feedback into program design or promoting peer support groups where clients can share experiences. Studies show that clients who feel a sense of belonging in therapeutic settings are 50% more likely to complete their programs successfully.
Creating this culture fosters respect and empowerment, essential ingredients for personal growth and recovery.
Achieving Justice Through Accountability
Justice is about addressing historical injustices and holding organizations accountable. In the behavioral health sector, this means acknowledging systemic inequities that have harmed marginalized communities. This is not an invitation to be a white savior, or for one second to think you know what a community needs more than they know themselves.
Organizations must promote policy changes advocating for equitable access to services. This might involve community outreach that informs underserved populations about their mental health rights. A strategic focus on justice can lead to an increase in service uptake by marginalized groups by as much as 20%. Local, regional and state wide policy justice concerns need to be addressed. This happens by coming together and respecting voices that are under heard, under supported, and often seem like dissent. Those are powerful and important voices to amplify and believe. This may cause uncomfortable feelings, it's ok, I promise you won't die from discomfort, but your discomfort has likely caused others to suffer and not receive critical care. It's time to do better, we all know better, nod to Maya Angelou.
By establishing measurement tools, organizations can track their progress and maintain a commitment to justice in their practices. These tools ought to be intersectional (Kimberle Crenshaw) in nature and include the smallest of data, because it all matters.
Accessibility: Removing Barriers to Participation
Accessibility ensures everyone can fully engage in available services. In behavioral health, this is particularly urgent as many face barriers that limit their access to care.
Implementing accessibility initiatives like telehealth services, sliding scale fees, and ensuring that facilities meet ADA standards is vital. These efforts not only promote fairness but also lead to better patient retention, with reports indicating up to a 40% improvement in clients returning for follow-up services.
By actively addressing and reducing barriers, organizations show a commitment to inclusiveness in behavioral health.
Key findings on barriers to behavioral health treatment:
Stigma:
A major barrier, with many individuals fearing judgment or social consequences from seeking mental health support.Â
Cost:
Lack of insurance coverage or high out-of-pocket costs significantly deter people from seeking treatment.Â
Access to providers:
Limited availability of mental health professionals, particularly in rural areas, can restrict access.Â
Cultural barriers:
Lack of culturally competent care can prevent individuals from marginalized communities from seeking treatment.Â
Transportation challenges:
Difficulty in reaching a provider due to geographical limitations can be a significant barrier.Â
Strategies to reduce barriers:
Integration with primary care OR bringing primary care to BH settings:
Embedding behavioral health services within primary care settings can increase accessibility and normalize mental health care.Â
Telehealth:
Utilizing virtual therapy sessions can overcome geographic barriers and increase access for individuals who might otherwise not seek treatment. This requires attention to internet and communication pathways in communities.
Insurance parity:
Ensuring equal coverage for mental health services compared to physical healthcare can improve affordability. AND it requires insurance companies and other funders pay equally for services across gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity and a number of other identity factors.
Community outreach:
Targeted efforts to engage underserved communities with culturally appropriate messaging and resources. Preferably by people from the community.
Provider training:
Educating healthcare providers on cultural humility and stigma reduction to better serve diverse populations.Â
Public awareness campaigns:
Addressing stigma through campaigns that normalize seeking mental health and substance use support.Â
Data points to consider:
Treatment gap:
A significant percentage of individuals with mental health and substance use conditions do not seek treatment despite having a need.Â
Socioeconomic disparities:
Individuals with lower income are more likely to face barriers to accessing mental health and substance use care.Â
Racial/ethnic disparities:
Minorities often experience poorer access to mental health and substance use services compared to White populations.
The Synergy of DEIBJA Principles
When DEIBJA principles work together, they provide a strong framework for achieving whole health in behavioral health settings. Focusing on diversity invites different viewpoints, equity responds to unique needs, and inclusion fosters relationships. Belonging encourages client engagement, justice keeps organizations accountable, and accessibility allows everyone to participate.
This interconnected approach recognizes the complexities of human experiences. Practitioners who prioritize DEIBJA will find it essential to creating a whole health approach in their care practices.
Final Thoughts
Embracing DEIBJA principles is vital for the behavioral health sector. By promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, justice, and accessibility, organizations enhance care quality and contribute to a fairer society.
Effective implementation of these principles ultimately leads to healthier communities, better client results, and an inclusive environment for all those seeking help. Integrating DEIBJA into behavioral health care creates a vital opportunity to change lives and strengthen connections between providers and clients. Committing to these principles empowers individuals to achieve mental wellness while fostering a sense of belonging and justice in their communities.
Respectfully,
Tiffany
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