Laboratory for Culture and Mental Health Disparities
Laboratoire sur les disparités culturelles et la santé mentale
Mental health disparities occur when people from marginalized groups are not able to access the same quality of mental health services as the general population. Our work is focused on the difficulties faced by Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC), as well as immigrants and refugees.
Canada Research Chair for Mental Health Disparities
Can Psychedelics Cure? Psychedelics are unlocking new ways to treat conditions like addiction and depression. Here's what the potential of these drugs in controlled treatment settings looks like, featuring Dr. Monnica Williams. Source: NOVA/PBS
Dr. Williams & Lab in the News
Williams, A. (2022, November 28). Why Some Black Women Are Using Psychedelic Mushrooms for Healing. Essence. November/December.
Hughes, V. (2022, November 21). With Anxiety on the Rise, Some Children Try ‘Exposure Therapy’. New York Times.
Nova. (2022, October 19). Can psychedelics cure? PBS.
Williams, M. (2022, October 3). Canada does not fund mental health care and we are all paying for it. The Hill.
Donovan, R. (2022, August 19). Meet the Psychologist Using Psychedelics to Treat Racial Trauma. Leaps.
Klarenberg, K. (2022, August 11). New Research Finds CIA Used Black Americans as Drugs Experiment Guinea Pigs. MPN News.
Forthcoming research publications
Williams, M. T. & Zare, M. (in press). A psychometric investigation of racial trauma symptoms using a semi-structured clinical interview with a trauma checklist (UnRESTS). Chronic Stress. https://doi.org/10.1177/24705470221145126
Bartlett, A., Faber, S., Williams, M., & Saxberg, K. (in press). Getting to the root of the problem: Supporting clients with lived-experiences of systemic discrimination. Chronic Stress. https://doi.org/10.1177/24705470221139205
Faber, S., Williams, M. T., Metzger, I. W., MacIntyre, M. M., Strauss, D., Duniya, C. G., Sawyer, K., Cénat, J. M., & Goghari, V. (in press). Lions at the gate: How weaponization of policy prevents people of colour from becoming professional psychologists in Canada. Canadian Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000352
MacIntyre, M. M., Zare, M., & Williams, M. T. (in press). Anxiety-related disorders in the context of racism. Current Psychiatry Reports.
Williams, M. T., Faber, S. C., Nepton, A., & Ching, T. (in press). Racial justice allyship requires civil courage: Behavioral prescription for moral growth and change. American Psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000940
Williams, M. T. & Gran-Ruaz, S. (in press). Can anti-racism training improve outgroup liking and allyship behaviors? Whiteness and Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/23793406.2021.1988687
Courses in Psychedelics, Spirituality & Consciousness Studies
Substances that have for millennia formed part of humanity’s ritual and religious traditions are now being studied with renewed vigour for their potential benefits in treating a wide variety of mental health issues, as well as for spiritual, psychological, and educational benefits. Learn about our interdisciplinary approach at the university, emphasizing perspectives of Science, Social Science, and Humanities to the emerging paradigm of psychedelic study. Learn more.
Dr. Williams on Racism in Academic Publishing for the APA: Andoh, E. (2021, April). Psychology's Urgent Need to Dismantle Racism. The Monitor, 52 (3), 38.
Ongoing Research Projects
Cultural Competence in Health Care
When clinicians lack the skills necessary to interact respectfully with people of color, this can create barriers to accessing health care services. Understanding bias, improved clinical training, diversifying the health care workforce, and anti-racism interventions care help improve the care received by those in the most vulnerable and underserved communities. Learn more.
Racial Trauma
Racism and discrimination have profound negative consequences on racialized people of all ages, including traumatization. Our work is focused on identification of racial trauma and quantification of the mental health sequela. Download our latest tools and measures. Learn more.
Microaggressions
One insidious form of contemporary racism is the experience of racial microaggressions, subtle behaviors that send denigrating messages to people of color. Microaggressions have been linked to numerous negative mental health outcomes. Our lab has been focused on better understanding, addressing, and preventing microaggressions. Learn more.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD is a highly disabling and distressing disorder, which has made it a leading causes of disability worldwide. Many forms of OCD are misdiagnosed, including those with sexual, religious, or violent themes. Our lab is working to improve identification and treatment of these under-recognized forms of the disorder. Learn more.
Psychedelic Therapies
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has been shown effective in addressing a multitude of mental health conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, end-of-life anxiety, and other conditions. Our lab is working to extend this work to marginalized groups, including people of color and refugees. Learn more.