This book, now in its second edition, addresses the unique sociocultural and historical systems of oppression that have alienated racial minority patients within the mental healthcare system. It responds to recent calls for guidance on how clinicians, policymakers, and institutions can address the mental health consequences of racism within a rapidly changing social and political context. The first edition set the stage for focused conversations about the mental health consequences of racism, particularly for African Americans, while inviting readers of all backgrounds to envision and contribute to more equitable systems of care. In the years following its publication, however, several profound societal developments reshaped the context in which these conversations occur. A global viral pandemic, shifting political discourse surrounding equity and justice, and continued violence rooted in racism and intolerance have intensified the urgency of examining how structural inequities influence mental health outcomes. 

Each chapter has been updated to engage two central themes: (1) the COVID-19 pandemic and its syndemic effects on marginalized communities, and (2) the evolving political climate, including both advances in racial equity and persistent or renewed structural barriers. In addition, three new chapters-Environmental Racism and Climate Change, The Impact of Interpersonal Racism and Discrimination on Mental Health, and Progress and Retrenchment in an Evolving Political Climate-expand the book's engagement with contemporary forces shaping mental health outcomes.

Written by thought leaders in the field, the second edition of Racism and Psychiatry is a vital tool for psychiatrists, psychologists, administrators, educators, medical students, social workers, and all clinicians working to treat patients dealing with issues of racism at the point of mental healthcare.