How to Use This Chapter
Health equity ensures that every individual has fair and just access to mental and behavioral health services, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, language, or other social determinants. For Behavioral Health Support Specialists (BHSSs), promoting equity is not only an ethical responsibility but also a clinical imperative—because disparities in care directly affect patient engagement, treatment adherence, and overall outcomes. An overarching goal of the chapter is to provide instructors and their students with practical tools for assessing and addressing barriers to engagement, as well as techniques for inclusive and accessible communication that promote equity. BHSSs will often be the first point of contact for individuals navigating mental health challenges. By integrating equity-focused practices, BHSSs can reduce stigma and mistrust, improve patient understanding and participation in care, and contribute to systemic change by modeling inclusive practices. Many BHSS education programs already have content focused on health equity that may meet or surpass the intent of this chapter, which is to focus on the identified competencies for the workplace. The chapter is not intended to cover all aspects of health equity. Faculty may consult resources listed below for more in-depth coverage of the topic of health equity in health care and mental health service delivery.
The resources below were developed by UW BHSS faculty and staff:
Sample Activities/Assessments for LO-5
Activity: Case Study