THE MENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVE ON RACISM: DISORDER OR SOCIAL CONSTRUCT?

Abstract

The debate regarding racism as a potential mental disorder remains inconclusive in the field of mental health. This ongoing discussion between experts like Alvin Poussaint, MD, and Jeffrey Schaler, Ph.D., has failed to provide a definitive resolution. The main issue at hand is the absence of clear criteria to determine the classification of a mental disorder. To make progress in this debate, a fundamental question needs to be addressed: What defines a mental disorder? Without a solid framework for defining mental disorders, it is impossible to definitively categorize racism within this classification. This paper argues for a paradigm shift in the approach to this discussion, emphasizing the importance of grounding the debate in scientific principles. Only by establishing a scientific foundation can we hope to make substantial progress in the understanding of racism as a potential mental disorder