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A Message from the Center for Well-Being

The Center for Well-Being Programs and Psychological Services (WBC) is deeply saddened and angered by the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and the countless other Black people who have been targeted and murdered because of their race. The WBC is also saddened and angered by the increase of hate crimes directed towards the Asian and AAPI community. We recognize the psychological, social, and emotional impacts of racism, systemic and pervasive oppression, and hate violence on communities of color. As such, we will continue to denounce bigotry and oppression in every form and remain committed to providing trauma informed, culturally aware, affirming, and inclusive services.

We see you, we hear you, and we are here to support you. If you would like to speak with a clinician, please contact us at 202-885-3500 to schedule and initial consultation appointment. You may also speak with a clinician via AU ProtoCall Services. AU ProtoCall can be reached at 202-885-7979. You can also access the WBC social media accounts (pinterest, instagram, twitter, and spotify) for resources.

Sincerely,

The Well-Being Program and Psychological Services Staff

The Steve Fund, an organization focused on supporting the mental health needs of students of color, has a helpful video-toolkit resource for university faculty and staff.

Individuals with certain racial identities experience race-based traumatic stress: an emotional injury that may overwhelm a person’s capacity to cope; causes bodily harm; and/or threaten their life integrity (Bryant-Davis, 2007; Berger & Sarnyai, 2015). The body of research on racial trauma indicates that racism, including perceived racial discrimination, is associated with poorer mental health, such as depression, anxiety, and stress (Paradies et al., 2015). Racism is also linked with poorer physical health. It should be noted that even anticipatory race-based traumatic stress is related to health issues such as hypertension among Black individuals (Hicken et al., 2014). Furthermore, racism and discrimination have detrimental physical and psychological impacts on children and adolescents (Bécares, 2015; English, 2014; Hope, 2015). For instance, research findings indicate that racial discrimination is associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms among adolescents and vicarious racial discrimination has a negative impact on the child’s socioemotional development (Bécares, 2015).

APA Statement on Racism Pandemic

APA Video on Racism in America - Psychology’s Dialogue on Race and Health

APA Video on Chronic Stress, race related stress, and academic achievement outcomes among adolescents

American University Counseling Center video on "Being Black During a Pandemic"

“Ally” is a verb, not a noun. It is not a static state of being, but an on-going set of practices. If you are interested in acting in allyship, it is helpful to understand that allyship will consist of both internal and external work. If you are interested in taking action, below are some resources that offer information and suggestions.

Counseling center series on allyship part 1

Counseling center series on allyship part 2

Bystander Intervention training to stop Anti-Asian American and Xenophobic Harassment