The intersection between mental health and DEIA in the OT workplace

Mental health and diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) are intricately connected. Recent acts of racism and violence, and the health disparities of COVID-19, have taken a toll on the mental health of many employees, especially those from diverse backgrounds. Using U.S. Census data, Eichstaedt et al. (2021) found that the rate of anxiety and depression more than tripled for Black Americans after the death of George Floyd and for Asian Americans around the murder of six Asian women in Atlanta. Blacks’, Hispanics’, and Asian Americans' mental health worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic (Thomeer et al., 2022). “The effect of racism and racial trauma on mental health is real and cannot be ignored,” said Dan Gillison, the CEO of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) (2020). As occupational therapy practitioners strive to address DEIA and racial justice, mental health in the workplace must also be given attention.