The Role of Social Determinants in Racial and Ethnic Mental Health Disparities: Getting It Right

Despite increased research on and attention to mental health, significant racial and ethnic disparities in this area persist. We propose that racial and ethnic disparities in mental health should be examined through the lens of social determinants of mental health (SDoMH). In this perspective article, we review current definitions and frameworks of SDoMH, discuss their strengths and shortcomings, and provide recommendations for a framework to better capture the causal pathways of mental health for racially and ethnically minoritized populations. We also discuss efforts to address SDoMH, focusing on policy-level SDoMH interventions, and review progress and challenges in integrating SDoMH approaches into mental health care.