Black patients in psychiatric settings face a higher likelihood of being chemically restrained than white or Hispanic patients, according to findings shared by UCI Health. These disparities are part of a broader pattern that suggests racial bias continues to shape how mental health care is delivered in clinical environments.
Dr. Katy F. Lunny, a psychiatrist and assistant clinical professor at UC Irvine, pointed out that Black patients are more frequently given injectable medications and are more often diagnosed with conditions like schizophrenia or labeled as agitated. They also tend to have poorer neurological outcomes. She emphasized that these trends are not simply due to patient characteristics but are influenced by clinician behavior.
as training programs, exist but may not be enough. Lunny said that longer-lasting interventions are necessary to change how providers interact with patients of different racial backgrounds. The implications of unequal treatment go beyond the hospital. When Black patients experience harsher interventions, it can damage trust and worsen long-term health outcomes.
These inequities underline the need to address both institutional practices and systemic bias. Without meaningful reform, Black patients will continue to face disproportionate risks in psychiatric care. As clinicians and health systems begin to examine their roles in perpetuating these disparities, there is growing urgency to implement solutions that are not just performative but truly transformative.
See “Black Health Disparities Persist in Psychiatric Settings” (June 3, 2025)