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Statement on Racial Violence and Discrimination

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) acknowledges the highly disturbing psychological, physical, and emotional consequences of racism and racial discrimination that have perpetuated injustice and inequities towards Black and Brown individuals and communities in America. FSAP strongly denounces racism, anti-Black racism, bullying, bigotry, and hate in all its forms. We will continue to work to improve the cultural climate and remove barriers to mental health services within our office to marginalized populations.

As a counseling office, we recognize instances wherein racism and racial discrimination leads to race-based traumatic stress. This trauma can manifest as forms of depression, anxiety, fear, suicidal thoughts, anger, avoidance, and hypervigilance. For those of you experiencing distress related to racism and discrimination, please seek support from those whom you feel safe with, including family, friends, and communities. No cost and confidential professional assistance through the FSAP office is additionally available. The FSAP office can also help provide referrals to community therapists who can meet known and specific diversity-related needs.

While we firmly stand by the aforementioned statements, we also acknowledge the importance of providing an avenue for individuals to explore personal bias. As mental health counselors in service for all staff and employees of the university, it is our obligation and privilege to provide equal opportunities for mental health counseling services. Thusly, we assert that it is our responsibility to remain available for individuals looking to explore their personal biases, prejudices, and bigotry. We remain resolute that in order to fulfill our mission to support the psychological well-being of this university, the FSAP office is tasked to cultivate a counseling office where non-judgmental, compassionate, and honest discussions about challenging and difficult to discuss subjects can occur. For those of you who are looking to explore your own relationships with discrimination and bias, please know that the FSAP office remains open, confidential and non-judgmental to you.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ is dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that promotes respect and appreciation. We believe that in order to fulfill our mission of enhancing the psychological well-being of this university, we must reinforce and bolster three core values: diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Diversity

As counselors to this university, we serve individuals across the spectrum of diversity. Diversity is the representation of all our varied identities and differences, collectively and as individuals. Diversity includes, but is not limited to, race, color, national origin, culture, pregnancy, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, class, gender identity, gender expression, veteran (military service) status, political affiliation, and political philosophy. We embrace diversity as the celebration of a healthy community. Furthermore, we at FSAP acknowledge that routinely engaging in continuing education programs, training, and research in diversity is pivotal to our success as individuals and as a program.

Equity

Equity seeks to ensure fair treatment, equality of opportunity, and fairness in access to information and resources for all. Our commitment to equity is open-ended. As the field of mental health has expanded, so too has our need for open and honest awareness to better understand and dissect personal and industry biases. For FSAP to truly be of service to the university’s staff and faculty, we must continue to address equity obstacles that might otherwise subvert a member of our staff and faculty from accessing our services. Therefore, FSAP must strive to broaden our awareness and empathy for different perspectives and life experiences, challenge stereotypes and biases that might interfere with hiring practices and create a welcoming environment, and serve as models for equity.

Inclusion

Inclusion builds a culture of belonging by actively inviting the contribution and participation of all people. To accomplish this, the FSAP office must improve on the realms of equal opportunities for access to services, inclusive hiring practices, and offering more opportunities to showcase expertise and leadership for our campus through our guest speaker series, articles, and other projects. We also commit to improving mental health awareness and conditions for marginalized populations through more culturally competent campaigning and marketing.