APA Launches Reporting System for Incidents of Structural Racism

APA has launched a confidential reporting system for reporting suspected incidents of structural racism or discrimination at APA events. This was one of the four projects that came from the APA Workgroup on Fellow Projects and Leadership of the Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry. The task force was created by then-APA President Jeffrey Geller, M.D., M.P.H. The workgroup was chaired by Sanya Virani, M.D., M.P.H., APA’s resident-fellow trustee, and Charles Dike, M.D., M.P.H., chair of APA’s Ethics Committee.

The goal of this reporting system, called the Reporting for Incidents of Racism Within APA, is to serve as a channel to promote continued anti-racism efforts within APA.

The reporting system can be used by members who have been subjected to or personally witnessed a potential incident of racism or discrimination during an APA event; for example, Annual Meetings, component meetings, and Assembly meetings. The data collected via an online form will be used to aggregate material to analyze whether themes around repeated incidents exist and solutions can be devised or recommendations made to mitigate these issues. Anonymity and confidentiality will be maintained throughout the entire process.

APA will report events (without identifying information) to its members on a quarterly basis in Psychiatric News and will use the information to create educational materials on racism, discrimination, anti-racism, and professionalism. To report an alleged incident of racism or discrimination, go here. ■