Mental Health Equity
Daniel E. Dawes, JD, DHL
Nelson J. Dunlap, JD
Octavio N. Martinez, MD, MPH, MBA, DLFAPA
Mental Health Equity is the first comprehensive textbook to explore the drivers of mental health inequities in the United States and the innovative strategies being used to advance equity through programs and policies. Ideal for students in public health, mental health, health policy, social work, medicine, allied health, and psychology, this groundbreaking text takes a holistic, ecological approach to addressing historically overlooked public health challenges, empowering learners to understand and combat mental health disparities.
The book examines the historical and structural conditions influencing public mental health, including the impacts of racism, redlining, and policy development. Further, it investigates the diverse determinants of mental health equityāsocial, economic, environmental, biological, and politicalāhighlighting their interconnected roles in perpetuating inequities. It also explores the role that the compounding effects of intersectionality play, the importance of actionable frameworks, state and federal policy initiatives, and payment strategies are for advancing mental health equity. Integrating theory with practice, offering innovative models, global perspectives, and practical tools for community engagement and systemic transformation, Mental Health Equity provides a detailed call to action. This inspiring book is for compassionate leaders, clinicians, policymakers, and advocates who support population health and who strive to counter the persistent inequities affecting millions of Americans. Purchase includes online access via Springer Publishing Connectā¢ see inside for access instructions.
Key Features:
- Presents real-world applications to groundbreaking frameworks such as intersectionality, political determinants of health, and anti-racism
- Provides clearly defined learning objectives, engaging discussion questions, and important case vignettes illustrating challenges of persistent mental health inequities
- Brings together perspectives from diverse and notable leaders of public health, medicine, psychology, health policy, law, and social justice
- Qualified instructors have access to expanded Instructor Resources featuring chapter PowerPoints, a Sample Syllabus, Test banks, an Instructor Manual with learning activities for each chapter, and additional resources to supplement students' dynamic learning and interaction with the text
Contributors
Foreword
Preface
PART I. PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH: EXAMINING THE ROOT CAUSES
1. An Introduction to Mental Health Equity
2. The Historiography of African American Experiences in Race and Mental Health Policy
3. Invisible by Design
4. Redlining and the Structural Conditions of Mental Health Equity
5. The Link Between Racism and Mental Health
PART II. THE DETERMINANTS OF MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY AND INEQUITIES
6. The Economic Burden of Mental Health Inequities in the United States
7. Social Determinants of Mental Health Equity
8. Environmental Determinants of Mental Health Equity
9. Biological and Genetic Determinants of Mental Health
10. Political Determinants of Health Impact on Actualizing Mental Health Equity
11. The Role of Religion, Spirituality, and Faith Communities in Addressing Mental Health Disparities
PART III. KEY INTERSECTIONAL ISSUES IMPACTING MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY
12. Intersectional Drivers of Mental Health Inequities
13. Gender Bias, Mental Health Inequities, and Health Justice
14. The Relationship Between Mental Health and Violence: Unmasking the Myths
15. Mens' Mental Health and Aging: Utilizing a Health Equity Lens
PART IV. FROM THEORY TO POLICY
16. Shaping State Policy to Address Mental Health Inequities
17. Shaping Federal Policy to Address Mental Health Inequities
18. The Role of Payment Policy in Achieving Mental Health Equity
PART V. FROM POLICY, TO PRACTICE, TO RESULTS
19. Conceptual Approaches to Addressing the Political Determinants of Mental Health
20. Ecological and Systemic Approaches to Advance Mental Health Equity
21. Public Mental Health Research Considerations
22. History, Hope, and Mental Well-Being: Equity-Centered Public Mental Health Considerations
23. Innovative Models for Mental Health Equity
24. Advancing Mental Health Equity Through Community Engagement
25. Preparing Public and Behavioral Health Professionals for Leadership with Impact
26. Global Mental Health and Well-Being
27. Mental Health System Transformation and Future Considerations
Instructor eBook desk copies are available. Follow the two quick and easy steps below.
- Click the "REQUEST DESK COPY" button
- Complete the simple request form and click submit.
Upon approval, you will be granted eBook access on our Springer CONNECT platform. You will receive an email with instructions when your access is available.
All your books and their included resources will all be in one place with one log in.
- LMS Common Cartridge - All Instructor Resources
- Instructor Manual
- Test Bank
- Instructor Chapter PowerPoints
- Sample Syllabus
Please visit our Resourcesfor Educators page for more information.

- Release Date: September 28, 2025
- Paperback / softback
- 420 Pages
- Trim Size: 7in x 10in
- Number of Illustrations: 49
- ISBN: 9780826180551
- eBook ISBN: 9780826180599