Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg and Family Depression Center is dedicated to fostering an environment that is sensitive to the diverse needs of our community and aims to champion inclusivity and equality. 

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee ensures we are mindful of these values and looks for opportunities to align them with our daily work through advocacy, policies or practice.

DEI and mental health

While depression and other mental health conditions affect everyone, marginalized communities face significant and unique challenges that can affect their mental wellness. Recognizing factors such as discrimination, racism, bias, socioeconomic disparities and systemic barriers is essential to creating a nurturing and supportive environment. We believe DEI-informed research and education allow us to better understand and address these issues and work toward new solutions to create healthier communities.

What is DEI?      

DEI is a set of principles and practices designed to create environments where every person feels valued, is celebrated for their unique perspectives, experiences and ideas, and has equal opportunity to thrive. We are committed to upholding the University of Michigan's principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, as defined below:  

• Diversity: We commit to increasing diversity, which is expressed in many forms, including race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, language, culture, national origin, religious commitments, age, disability or political perspective.
• Equity: We commit to working actively to challenge and respond to bias, harassment, and discrimination. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight or veteran status.
• Inclusion: We commit to pursuing deliberate efforts to ensure that the Center is a place where differences are welcomed, personal perspectives are respectfully heard, and where every individual feels a sense of belonging and inclusion. We know that by building a critical mass of diverse groups on campus and creating a vibrant climate of inclusiveness, we can more effectively leverage the resources of diversity to advance our collective capabilities.