Faculty across many different branches of the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior convened for a half-day retreat April 4 at Butler Hospital to engage in critical reflection and dialogue around ways to integrate antiracism in their curricula.

At the retreat, training programs presented lessons learned from implementing didactics on such topics as: 

• The role of identity and intersectionality in treatment
• Strategies to address microaggressions in therapy
• Social justice advocacy 
• Race and culture in the presentation of patients
• Treatment considerations for specific populations
• Community outreach and partnership

In breakout sessions for psychology, adult psychiatry, and child psychiatry, attendees identified current gaps in their antiracist programming and discussed key factors in designing and implementing solutions. By the end of the day, each group had identified specific mechanisms to include trainee input into proposed changes, as well as specific goals and action steps for new curricula to be developed for the 2023-24 academic year and beyond. 

Approximately 45 faculty members attended the retreat, which was organized by the Educational Programming Working Group of the Anti-Racism Steering Committee (ARSC). The working group identified the need for the retreat (and future retreats) based on input from its current and prior trainee and faculty members, a review of department syllabi, and data collected from trainee feedback on program didactics.

The working group plans to hold future curriculum retreats that integrate trainee input and presence. To that end, the group seeks more trainees to join as members or as part of its leadership team, with two trainee co-chair positions opening in June or July.

If you are a trainee interested in joining or co-chairing the ARSC Educational Programming Working Group, please contact Elizabeth Brannan or Daniella Palermo.