Resilience and Empowerment Through Racially Challenging Times
Throughout July, the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the UA Counseling Center will host a series of workshops titled “Resilience and Empowerment Through Racially Challenging Times.”
The workshop series aims to provide conceptual framework to understand how race affects the overall experiences of racial minorities and how racial injustice and trauma contribute to minority mental health concerns. The series will discuss coping strategies and ways to thrive by engaging in meaningful actions.
For each workshop, one session will be held for students and another session will be held for faculty and staff. Registration for the online workshops is available via Eventbrite. A registration code will be sent to those who register.
Below is the list of workshops and registration links as well as information about support groups.
Racism, Microaggression, Social Injustice and Minority Mental Health
Presenter: Nahree Doh, PhD, associate director of clinical and outreach services, UA Counseling Center
This workshop will discuss unique experiences of racial minorities in socio-cultural context. Participants will explore ways in which different forms of racism and microaggression contribute to development of self, interpersonal relationships, and mental health of racial minority. In addition, participants will discuss strategies that racial minorities can utilize to improve overall psychological well-being and promote personal growth.
Student Session: July 7 at 1 p.m. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/111181699456
Faculty/Staff Session: July 9 at noon https://www.eventbrite.com/e/111182897038
Self-Care and Proactive Coping While Dealing with Racial Injustice
Presenter: Hannah Johnston, MSW, coordinator of outreach services, UA Counseling Center
This workshop is designed for individuals interested in learning strategies to maintain self-care and proactively cope with mental, emotional and physical stress related to racial injustice.
Student Session: July 14 at 1 p.m. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/111184876960
Faculty/Staff Session: July 16 at noon https://www.eventbrite.com/e/111185276154
Coping with Intergenerational Race-Related Trauma Associated with Structural Injustice – CANCELED
Presenter: Terri Spain, MSW, staff therapist, UA Counseling Center
During this workshop, participants will discuss the experiences of People of Color and Indigenous, individuals with racism, discrimination and microaggressions and the negative impacts on their mental health. Racial trauma, or race-based stress, will be described in more detail, and participants will further explore some of the potential psychological symptoms associated with it, such as hypervigilance to threat, flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, suspiciousness, and somatic symptoms such as headaches and heart palpitations. The discussion will also address historical trauma associated with structural injustice and the intergenerational implications over time. The workshop will conclude with an acknowledgement of the factors that are vital to promoting healing and well-being.
Student Session: July 21 at 1 p.m. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/111187721468
Faculty/Staff Session: July 23 at noon https://www.eventbrite.com/e/111189185848
Understanding Cultural Identity, Privilege and Allyship
Presenter: Ashley Jones, MSW, staff therapist, UA Counseling Center
This workshop is for persons wishing to gain a deeper understanding of cultural and identity development and how this relates to inherent privileges from which many benefit. Participants will be able use this knowledge to explore and challenge their own privileges and implicit biases in order to become an ally to Black and other marginalized persons.
Student Session: July 28 at 1 p.m. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/111191954128
Faculty/Staff Session: July 30 at noon https://www.eventbrite.com/e/111192339280
Support Groups
Group Leader: Jennifer Turner
Group time: To be determined. For further information call Jennifer Turner at the UA Counseling Center at 205-348-3863.
Group Description: This group will explore and discuss the emotional health, social health, role expectations, relationship with others and self as a member of the Black and African Diaspora community on campus while facing the challenges of anti-Blackness/Racism.
Group Leader: Patrick Lewis
Group time: To be determined. For further information contact Jennifer Turner at the Counseling Center at 205-348-3863.
Group Description: This group will provide support for students and explore issues related to maintaining healthy relationship with self and others, feeling overwhelmed due to COVID-19, and other general areas of concern.
For more multicultural mental health resources, visit the UA Counseling Center’s resources page.