Our Message to Our Community about Anti-Racism
CAPS counselors understand that living in an oppressive society that perpetuates racist policies impact the mental health of BIPOC students. CAPS counselors strive to combat anti-Blackness, anti-Semitism, anti-Indigenous, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, racism, and xenophobia in all forms. CAPS counselors also acknowledge that we too, are a part of the problem of racism and commit to being a part of the solution by being intentional on how to adopt policies and practices consistent with the principles of anti-racism and social justice for our department. All CAPS counselors are highly trained in serving our students. In addition to training required for licensure, all Cal State LA CAPS counselors are required to engage in training specific to the diverse populations we serve on campus.
*Disclaimer: Cal State LA nor Cal State LA-SHC/CAPS does not monitor nor endorse any of these resources, we recommend that you verify with the Department of Consumer Affairs prior to meeting with a mental health provider to verify their business/license.
Support for Black Students
- The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation: The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation was launched this past April. Named for the founder Taraji P. Henson's father, who experienced mental health challenges after serving in the Vietnam War, it was created to provide Black families and individuals who are dealing with fallout from the coronavirus pandemic free therapy sessions. According to its website, the foundation is "committed to changing the perception of mental illness in the African-American community by encouraging those who suffer with this debilitating illness to get the help they need."
- Black Mental Wellness: The mission of Black Mental Wellness is to "provide resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective, to highlight and increase the diversity of mental health professionals, and to decrease the mental health stigma in the Black community." The site is a good launching pad. It has info about helpful mental health apps and podcasts and literature about specific behavioral techniques. Black Mental Wellness also offers workshops and presentations.
- Between Sessions: Dope therapists and dope conversation.Therapists and Co-Owners of Melanin and Mental Health, Eliza Boquin and Eboni Harris [is the sentence complete?]
- hey, girl.: A podcast that unites the voices of phenomenal women near and far. Created with sisterhood and storytelling in mind, author Alex Elle sits down with people who inspire her. From friends to family members and strangers, the hey, girl. guests give us a peek into their stories through candid and intimate conversations.
- Minding My Black Business: dedicated to the mental health of Black Entrepreneurs, led by Dr. JaNaè Taylor.
- Naming It: The mission of Naming It is to call out the elephant in the room, and to call in the voices of social justice that are normally muted. Psychologists Dr. Bedford Palmer & Dr. LaMisha Hill introduce uncommon aspects of counseling psychology and engage listeners in a conversation that delves deeper than the average show.
- Tea with Queen and J: Two Womanist race nerds talking about liberation, politics, and pop culture over tea. Dismantling white supremacist patriarchal capitalism one episode at a time.
- Therapy for Black Girls: Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls.
- @alex_elle: Author & wellness consultant living in the Washington, DC metro area with her husband and children. Writing came into her life by way of therapy and the exploration of healing through journaling.
- @askdrcharmain: Dr. Jackman is a Harvard-trained psychologist with 23+ years in the mental health field. She is the founder of InnoPsych, Inc., an organization on a mission to disrupt racial disparities in mental health.
- @coolassblackwoman: A safe space for Black women to become vulnerable, find ways in seeing life from a different perspective, and provide support.
- @decolonizingtherapy: Dr. Jennifer Mullan creates spaces for people and organizations to heal. She believes that it is essential to create a dialogue to address how mental health is deeply affected by systemic inequities and the trauma of oppression, particularly the well-being of Queer Indigenous Black Brown People of Color (QIBPOC).
- @doctortkpsych: Licensed clinical psychologist, author, branding coach, and speaker that assists in reframing thinking to be healthy physically, psychologically, and spiritually.
- @dr.marielbuque: Licensed psychologist, holistic mental health expert, and sound bath meditation healer. Her work centers on helping people heal their whole selves through holistic mental wellness practices and on healing wounds of intergenerational trauma.
- @drjoydegruy: Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy is a nationally and internationally renowned researcher and educator. Her research focuses on the intersection of racism, trauma, violence and American chattel slavery. She has over thirty years of practical experience as a professional in the field of social work. She conducts workshops and trainings in the areas of intergenerational/historical trauma, mental health, social justice, improvement strategies and evidence based model development.
- @inclusivetherapists: An online space to find therapist that are culturally responsive, social justice-oriented therapist. Centering needs of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, people with disabilities, and we honor the full neurodiversity spectrum.
- @justdavia: Mental health therapist and entrepreneur focusing on supporting BIPOC professionals. “I create therapeutic programming for burnt out professionals + wellness-minded companies. Black women + WOC are always at the center of my work.”
- @kiaundrajackson: Award-winning speaker, TV personality, best-selling author, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, KW Couples Therapy, Co-Founder of KW Essential Services and Black Speakers Rock.
- @shapingtheshiftpodcast: Heals by harnessing the energy of change and using it to create the lives we desire.
- @theamonyee: Therapist, mental health decolonizer, Black creative and joy-centered practitioner.
- @theblackerthebrain: An ongoing campaign and conversation to make mental health inclusive and expansive for Black bodies.
Anti-Racism Resources
- BEAM: Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective: A collective of advocates, yoga teachers, artists, therapists, lawyers, religious leaders, teachers, psychologists and activists committed to the emotional/mental health and healing of Black communities.
- Luke Wood’s Black Minds Matter Webinar Series
- Racial Equity Tools: Racial Equity Tools is designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. It offers tools, research, tips, curricula, and ideas for people who want to increase their understanding and to help those working for racial justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities, and the culture at large.
- Racial Equity in Online Environments: Webinar Series by USC
- Anti-racism resources for white people
- Black Lives Matter, and Yes, You are Racist: The Parallelism of the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries – article in the Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal.
- Parent Resources on Race, Privilege, Protests and Social Justice