BIPOC Women in Mental Health Tech: Where Are We?
2020 was an unforgettable year filled with life-changing and challenging events. 2020 was also a year where more BIPOC individuals reached out for mental health services than ever before. Many BIPOC individuals chose therapy this past year because it was easy. Imagine being able to log onto an app and be validated for the first time in your life from the comfort of your home by a therapist that looks like you and can relate to your lived experiences. For many folx, this is something that seems commonplace but for so many BIPOC women, this is a novel experience.
I am a licensed clinical social worker, practicing in virtual therapy throughout the pandemic. I connected with almost 50 new BIPOC women clients within the last six months and only two had a previous experience with a therapist. These women were looking for someone who could relate to their experiences — and ultimately, an individual who looks like them. They needed to trust that I could discuss issues like anxiety surrounding dying during or after childbirth, wearing natural hair at work because it could be viewed as unprofessional, or being made fun of by family members because of seeking therapy. My clients can talk to me about issues like the strain of “code-switching” or feel comfortable using colloquialisms without having to explain them.
My experience is not unique, the numbers show that we, BIPOC individuals, are seeking out therapy not only the first time but at a higher rate than ever before. Yet with all of this interest, I have been left wondering:
Where are the BIPOC women in mental health tech?
In nearly 15 years of experience in this industry, I have never seen this much time, effort, and money invested in access to mental health. According to Forbes Magazine, in 2020 alone, venture capitalists have invested $1.5 billion dollars in mental health startups. If you are seeking a mental health service, whether medication management or therapy, access to these services from the comfort and safety of your home is abundant. What is not abundant are BIPOC women clinicians involved in these ventures. Just take a look around the mental health startup industry. Pick any of the major companies you see in ads either on TV or social media. Take a gander at their board of directors and their C-Suite, or those positions who have a heavy influence on how these services are designed and delivered.
We. Are. Not. Present.
Why are we not present? Why are we absent? I believe it’s because we have to be invited, which means we have to be valued.
To further explore the question of “Where are we?,” I’ll be leading a series here speaking to BIPOC folx on their experience in the digital mental health space. If you’re interested in telling your story reach out to me or contact our team at: info@therapistsintech.com to contribute to our series. You can also read the prior work in this publication from TnT members Andrena McGroarty, PMHNP, MSN, RN and Avni Panchal, LCSW about their experiences of combating burnout and imposter syndrome. In addition, our series will also explore the question:
How can industry meet the needs of the BIPOC individuals it serves?
I’ll give you the short answers now: Hire us. Give us a chance. Invest in us. Invest in our education. Teach us. Allow us to teach you. Invest in our community. Engage in tough conversations with your leaders and investors to ensure that inclusion is actually happening on the decision-making level. If you are a BIPOC individual who has leverage in this industry, use your voice to create change. Finally, look around your company. Yes, I’m talking to you VCs. Yes, I’m talking to you, CEO. If there isn’t a BIPOC woman in the room, find one. We are out here. Ready and willing to invest our time and energy to help our people, because we need help and we need it now.
Here are some helpful resources to start connecting:
See also these academic articles on disparities in mental health treatment:
McGuire, T. G., & Miranda, J. (2008). New evidence regarding racial and ethnic disparities in mental health: policy implications. Health affairs (Project Hope), 27(2), 393–403. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.27.2.393
Meyer, O. L., & Zane, N. (2013). THE INFLUENCE OF RACE AND ETHNICITY IN CLIENTS’ EXPERIENCES OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. Journal of community psychology, 41(7), 884–901. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.21580
