Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is committed to actively advancing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce and workplace environment. Our Department’s clinical, educational, and research endeavors are dedicated to the creation of equitable care for the diverse patient populations of New Mexico.

HSC DEI office

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

We contribute to the development of a behavioral health workforce that reflects the diverse communities of New Mexico and our country. We strive to train and provide equitable and inclusive care that align with the values and communities we serve. We also understand that the voices of underrepresented groups have historically been missing from psychiatry and behavioral sciences. We hold ourselves accountable individually, and as a department, to remedy this wherever we can.

Mission To advance diversity, equity and inclusivity for all throughout New Mexico’s Health Science institutions and the communities they serve.
Vision A diverse and inclusive UNM Health Sciences fosters health and well-being throughout New Mexico by weaving cultural humility and respect for all people.
Values The UNM Health Sciences Center’s most important value is a steadfast duty to improve the health of all New Mexicans. We will serve our patients and the public with integrity and accountability. We will strive as an institution and as individuals to recognize, cultivate and promote all forms of diversity; to fully understand the health needs of our communities; and to advance clinical, academic, and research excellence. We are committed to perform our duties with compassion and respect for our patients, learners, and colleagues; and always to conduct ourselves with the highest level of professionalism.

There are many things I hope to achieve with regards to improving the representation of underrepresented groups in the behavioral health workforce, but one of my most ardent goals is that together we all recognize the responsibility we have to make our clinical, educational, and research work more inclusive of the diversity of the human experience.

— Lindsay Smart, PhD, Associate Vice Chancellor for Leadership and Faculty Equity & Inclusion

In our traditional Lakota way, we have laws which guide our lives and interactions with other human beings as well as all of creation. These laws include generosity, compassion, humility, developing a great mind including endurance, courage, respect, and wisdom. We also have a commitment to keep our People in mind, carrying the People in our hearts, and every decision we make is with the good of the People in mind. I believe that these laws support the growth and protection of all of creation. These laws guide my work and commitments to patients, to tribal communities locally and nationally, and helping all of our relatives through facilitating their growth.

— Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart, PhD, Hunkpapa and Oglala Lakota Associate Professor, Clinician Educator

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Activities Related to Education

We provide training with diverse communities, provide supervision that is grounded in cultural and community contexts. We provide didactics and learning curriculums that reinforce the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism in all aspects of educational efforts.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Activities Related to Research

We respect community knowledge and actively collaborate with stakeholders across the state. We acknowledge that psychiatric and behavioral sciences research has historically not been representative of the diverse voices in our country. In fact, it has often not respected the inherent wisdom and concerns of the communities it serves.

Guiding Principles for Engaging in Research with Native American Communities

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Activities Related to Clinical Services

We recognize that in order to improve the behavioral health of the people we serve, we must consider and take action to address the impact of social determinants of health on their lives. One of our approaches is to team with certified and credentialed behavioral health providers such as peer support workers and community health workers.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resources Related to Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

SAMHSA Office of Behavioral Health Equity

National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health

African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence

National Latino Behavioral Health Association

Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging

Center of Excellence LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity

Center of Excellence Peer Recovery

Homeless & Housing Resource Center

Community Engagement Resources from SAHMSA Technology Transfer Centers

American Psychiatric Association’s Apology to Black, Indigenous and People of Color for Its Support of Structural Racism in Psychiatry

This statement was released in January 2021.

DEI Leadership in Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Lindsay Smart, PhD
(She/Her/Hers)
Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart, PhD, LCSW
Diversity Liaison to Medical School

In an effort to be transparent, we are posting the following figures about our faculty from 2019. While we know that some of our faculty who are from underrepresented minorities choose not to report their race/ethnicity, this data does point to areas for improvement. It also can help inform our work on diversity, equity, and inclusion moving forward. We will update these figures when the 2020 numbers become available.

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

Lindsay Smart, PhD

2400 Tucker Avenue N.E

1 University of New Mexico

MSC09-5030

Albuquerque, NM 87131

lsmart@salud.unm.edu