William Lawson, MD, PhD, DLFAPA
International expert in Psychiatric Services, Clinical Care, and Mental Health Literacy
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Beyond The Pandemic: "Race, Mental Health, and America’s Reckoning"
The COVID-19 pandemic did not create America’s health disparities—it revealed them. In Beyond the Pandemic: Race, Mental Health, and America’s Reckoning, William Lawson, MD, PhD, DLFAPA examines how long-standing inequities in healthcare, mental health treatment, and public policy became painfully visible during the global crisis. Drawing from decades of clinical practice, research, and leadership in psychiatry, Dr. Lawson explores how structural racism, economic inequality, and gaps in healthcare access contributed to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on African American communities and other underserved populations.
Through thoughtful analysis and historical context, Beyond the Pandemic connects today’s mental health challenges to deeper social and policy decisions that have shaped American healthcare for generations. Dr. Lawson challenges readers to look beyond the immediate crisis and confront the systemic conditions that allow disparities to persist. The book offers insight for clinicians, policymakers, scholars, and community leaders seeking to understand how mental health equity can move from aspiration to action in the years ahead.
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William Lawson, MD, PhD, DLFAPA
Founder and Director Institute for Reducing Disparities LLC
Dr. Lawson is a nationally recognized psychiatrist, author, and leading voice on racial health disparities. He is a Clinical Professor at George Washington University and the University of Maryland, and an Emeritus Professor at both Howard University and the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas, where he served as Assistant Dean for Health Disparities.
With over 200 publications and decades of leadership in psychiatry, Dr. Lawson continues to inform and inspire through scholarship, speaking, and community engagement.
Explore his groundbreaking new book:
African American Health: Peeling Back the Layers for a Vision of the Future – available now on Amazon and Reducing-Disparities.com.
To book Dr. Lawson for a keynote and panel presentation, click here to get in touch.
Featured Interview & New Resource
Mental Health and the Bible
In recognition of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. William B. Lawson joins Pastor Keith W. Byrd Sr. for an engaging conversation on the important role of faith, mental health, and the Black church in promoting hope, healing, and community wellness.
This special episode explores how churches can foster compassionate conversations around mental health, reduce stigma, and encourage individuals and families to seek support. The discussion also introduces Dr. Lawson’s newest publication, Mental Health and the Bible, a practical guide created to help churches engage their communities with wisdom, understanding, and hope.
Featured Interview
What's at Stake – Mental Health Awareness Month
As part of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, Dr. William B. Lawson joined WPFW's What's at Stake for an insightful discussion about mental health, reducing stigma, and the important role of faith communities in supporting individuals and families. This timely conversation encourages open dialogue, education, and access to mental health resources that strengthen our communities.
We invite you to watch this important interview and share it with your family, friends, colleagues, congregation, and community. One conversation can help reduce stigma, encourage someone to seek support, and inspire hope for those facing mental health challenges.
Latest News
Honoring a Legacy of Equity: William Lawson Awarded Top Recognition in Psychiatry
What William Lawson’s Andrea Delgado Memorial Lecturer Award Means for Mental Health Equity The 2025 Black Psychiatrists of America Fall Transcultural Conference in St. George’s, Grenada, brought together clinicians, researchers, and advocates committed to advancing mental health across the African diaspora. At the center of this year’s gathering was a
Black Health Trust Panel Discussion on Women’s Mental Health Concerns
The Black Health Trust invites you to join our esteemed panelists for a crucial discussion on “Women’s Mental Health Concerns.” Date & Time: January 7, 2023, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)Join Zoom Meeting: Zoom Meeting LinkMeeting ID: 852 4454 3865Passcode: 289970 Your mental health matters! Let’s come together
Black History, Black Healing, Black Health | A Busboys and Poets Books Presentation
Marta Golden, author of The New Black Woman: Loves Herself, Has Boundaries, and Heals Every Day and The Strong Black Woman: How a Myth Endangers the Physical and Mental Health of Black Women will moderate a panel discussion about the urgent issue of mental health in the Black community, and how individuals and families can find