Capstone Title: Increasing Equitable Mental Health Care: Developing and Applying Cultural Competence Principles to Support Black Populations

Student Concentration: Health Management & Policy

Capstone Chair: Dr. Kimberley Freire

Capstone Abstract: Black communities in the United States continue to experience inequities in mental health care due to cultural stigma, systemic racism, and limited access to culturally responsive services. This study develops cultural competence principles and applies them to evaluate how mental health organizations demonstrate equity and inclusion in serving Black populations. Drawing from established frameworks such as the CLAS standards, Campinha-Bacote’s Process of Cultural Competence, and the Multicultural Counseling and Therapy Theory, six guiding principles were developed: equity and leadership commitment, workforce diversity and training, communication and accessibility, service types and cultural responsiveness practices, community partnership and engagement, and accountability and continuous improvement. These principles were applied to two organizations, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Pathways Center, using publicly facing materials such as websites, mission statements, and reports. Public materials are often the initial point of contact for individuals seeking care, shaping perceptions of safety, inclusion, and cultural awareness. Findings show that while both organizations display commitment to diversity, NAMI demonstrates stronger outreach, allegiance, and communication, whereas Pathways has limited visibility of cultural responsiveness. Both lack measurable transparency regarding workforce diversity and outcomes. The study concludes that inclusive, publicly available materials are an essential aspect of accessibility, and that cultural competence must be a continuous and transparent process that strengthens trust and equity in mental health care for Black populations