What is a Psychiatrist  Overview of Psychiatry  The Surgeon
General’s report, Mental Health: Culture, Race and Ethnicity,
unequivocally states that “mental health is fundamental to
overall health and productivity.  It is the basis for successful
contributions to family, community, and society.  Throughout the
lifespan, mental health is the wellspring of thinking and
communication skills, learning, resilience, and self-esteem.” 
The report goes on to say, “Mental health problems are real and
disabling conditions that are experienced by one in five
Americans.  Left untreated, mental health can result in
disability and despair for families, schools, communities, and
the workplace.”  It is, therefore, disturbing to find that “the
mental health field is plagued by disparities in the
availability of and access to its services.  These disparities
are viewed readily through the lenses of racial and cultural
diversity.”  One way to reduce these disparities is to increase
the number of psychiatrists from different raci