New Narrative was established in 1977 with the belief that compassion and community play a vital role in promoting mental wellness. We continue to hold this belief and recognize the importance of racial equity in supporting our participants and staff to thrive, not just survive. As leaders in the mental health industry, we acknowledge the significant disparities that BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals face within the mental health continuum. Underserved communities often encounter explicit and implicit bias, while BIPOC individuals experience racism and injustice within mental health systems.
At New Narrative, we are committed to integrating racial equity into our programming, recruitment, and cultural transformation. We recognize our power, responsibility, and accountability to our participants, staff, and community stakeholders and strive to address the significant disparities within mental health systems. 
Mental health challenges often go undetected or untreated, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Studies show that the adult Black community is 20% more likely to experience serious mental health challenges due to a lack of access to appropriate and culturally responsive mental healthcare, prejudice, racism, and historical trauma. LGBTQIA2S+ individuals also face mental health stigma due to unconscious and conscious biases and the lack of culturally responsive services. Refugees and immigrants also experience mental health challenges due to adjusting to new environments and barriers to accessing mental health services.
At New Narrative, we take responsibility for our role in this system and recognize the importance of increasing our accountability in racial equity. We have invested the past year in understanding our place and voice in disrupting the status quo, interrupting racism, and working towards dismantling both. Our Equity Team has written an Equity Statement outlining our commitment to racial equity and how it drives our internal and external relationships. We acknowledge that much work still needs to be done, but we remain committed to our journey.
We invite you to join us by subscribing to our newsletter and visiting our Equity and Inclusion webpage to learn more about our equity journey and read our Equity Statement.
