Statement on Anti-Black Violence

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) condemns the recent murders of Black people, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Nina Pop, and Ahmaud Arbery. CAPS also condemns the structural racism, woven into the fabric of our society and institution, that perpetuates police brutality and other acts of anti-Black violence.

To our Black students and colleagues, who may be hurting and struggling because of recent and historical events: We see you. We hear you. And we are with you. You may be feeling sad, angry, shocked, fed up, scared, anxious, numb, unmotivated, unfocused, and the list goes on. Please know that all of your responses are understandable reactions to the countless racial traumas you are forced to endure on a daily basis. As mental health providers we witness first-hand the negative impact racism, and the constant retraumatization of being flooded with images and videos of Black death, has on the physical and mental health of our Black students. Your anger, fear, frustration, sorrow, and exhaustion are valid, and you deserve to have the space and support to feel them fully. If you are like many Black people feeling understandably overwhelmed by grief, anger, or any number of other emotions right now, we hope that these coping resources (compiled by Micalah Webster, a Black therapist) may be helpful as you weather these difficult times. We also strongly support those who are choosing to attend protests as a way to demand accountability and change. Your outrage is beyond warranted, necessary, and powerfully transformative. Here is an additional resource to help maintain safety while protesting during the pandemic.

CAPS is also working to better understand and acknowledge our own role in the erasure of Black student needs and experiences. We recognize that a commitment to supporting the mental health and wellness of our students must also mean a commitment to centering the experiences of those who are most vulnerable, actively challenging anti-Black oppression and erasure, and deconstructing the systems that harm and traumatize Black people. We can do better in serving Black students, and we commit that we will immediately begin a search to hire a counselor who will serve as a Black and African-American Student Specialist. We recognize that this is both insufficient and long overdue, that it is a privilege to be afforded time to consider next steps, and see this as a starting place for continued steps towards a sustained commitment to centering the needs of Black students.

CAPS is also here for you, and has staff who are committed to serving our Black students. More than 40% of our counselors identify as People of Color, and we all share a commitment to understanding and supporting the needs of Black students. If you feel like you could benefit from talking with a mental health provider, please consider meeting with a CAPS therapist. We also want to own and acknowledge that we do not at present have a Black counselor on staff at CAPS. This is to say - while we are here if you need us, we also fully understand that we might not be what you need, and will support you in finding access to what you do need, whatever that might be[1]. We currently offer a full range of supportive services through Zoom. Given the incredibly challenging circumstances that our Black students are currently navigating, we are now prioritizing access for these students who have been impacted —you will not have to wait.

In Solidarity and Support,

Counseling & Psychological Services

[1] Black Female Therapists has launched the Let’s Talk About it Now project to offer 2-3 free therapy sessions with Black women providers. Apply for services here.

The BL Henson Foundation is offering free virtual sessions to support communities of color - you can sign up by texting NOSTIGMA to 707070.

The Mental Health Fund for Queer and Trans People of Color provides funding for QTPOC to access psychotherapy.

Liberate Meditation is a mindfulness/meditation app created specifically for BIPOC.

BIPOC support group

Black Lives Matter Resources:

Self-Care for Tips for Black People Struggling with this Week

Black Lives Matter Healing Spaces

Black Lives Matter Meditation for Healing Racial Trauma

Resources for promoting mental health & justice:

Welcome to the Anti-Racism Movement: here’s what you missed

75 Things White People Can do for Racial Justice

What is White Supremacy Culture?