A new study by Lance Smith, associate professor in counseling, shows that patients seeking mental health services may be at risk of racial bias. Smith analyzed the callback rates and responses of counselors and psychologists to voicemail messages left by an actor using the name “Allison” or the name “Lakisha,” which, data shows, are names with high correlation in the U.S. to white and black individuals, respectively. Allison received responses promoting mental health services at a 12 percent higher rate than Lakisha.

The study was highlighted in a trend story in Prevention Magazine and was picked up a by the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper, the Daily Mail, as well as a number of science news sites, including ScienceDaily, MedicalExpress and PsychCentral.