Demand 3: Counseling and Psychological Services
via community letter, Nov. 11, 2015: RESOLVED Spring, 2018
"Due to the systematic oppression faced by Black students throughout the world via colorism, racism, classism, mass incarceration, police brutality and all other injustices we need psychological services that cater to our unique psychological needs. Emory University prides itself on being responsive to the whole Emory University student (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally), therefore, in order to include the Black student, we demand for the Emory University Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to provide unique and alternative methods of counseling for Black students if they prefer to receive them. CAPS does not take into consideration that our psychic health is compromised due to systemic oppression (social, racial, economic, gender, etc). These alternative counseling methods include: Black spirituality methods, Black counselors, and counselors of color."
- Black Mental Health Ambassadors (BMHA) program, a peer outreach initiative, was established collaboration with black students. During the past three years, BMHA has developed a leadership infrastructure, collaborated in and developed mental health programming for Black students, and established a social media presence.
- Improved access to mental health resources was provided specifically for black students through collaborations in programming with campus partners, including religious and faith-based programming and the promotion of national resources (Steve Fund Crisis Text Line).
- Suicide prevention bystander training (QPR) was implemented for students in the black community (BMHA and Residence Life staff).
- CAPS’ students of color group was promoted; support and therapy groups were developed for Black graduate students.
- CAPS website was revised to include staff photos to highlight the diversity of counselors; agency social media was developed (http://www.counseling.emory.edu/about/staff.html).
- Explicit statement and framework were developed regarding the CAPS’ commitment to social justice (http://www.counseling.emory.edu/about/social-justice.html).
- Screening program for stress and depression was developed for black undergraduate students (http://www.ulifeline.org/emory/self_evaluator).
Updated: July 2020