Featuring Harolyn M. E. Belcher, MD, MHS

Why do mental health disparities persist—and what actually helps close the gap? Harolyn M.E. Belcher MD, MHS, explores the root causes behind inequities in mental health care for Black children, youth, and families. She unpacks how racism and social, political, and structural factors shape access to care, treatment options, and outcomes. You will gain clear definitions, deeper context, and practical, culturally responsive strategies that support mental health and well-being in Black communities—grounded in equity, understanding, and real-world impact.

Harolyn M. E. Belcher, MD, MHS, is vice president and chief diversity officer at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, where she also leads the Office for Health Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity and directs the Center for Diversity in Public Health Leadership Training. A professor of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, with a joint appointment at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Dr. Belcher is a nationally respected physician-leader whose work centers on advancing equity in child health and mental health. A graduate of Howard University’s BS-MD Honors Program, she has spent decades building and leading evidence-based, community-focused programs. Her work includes federally funded initiatives that strengthen the public health workforce and improve outcomes for children and families affected by trauma, poverty, and systemic inequities. workforce.