ACCA Statement on Racial ViolenceThe American College Counseling Association (ACCA) strongly condemns and denounces racism, systemic oppression, injustice, police brutality, and hate in all of its forms. ACCA mourns the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others who have died as a result of state sanctioned race-based tragedies. Each and every one are real people who were loved by their families and whose lives mattered; lost forever to violence fueled by centuries of racism, anti-Blackness and white supremacy woven into the fabric of our country. While we come together as a multicultural community, we center on the needs and experiences of the Black community. As mental health professionals, we stand for giving voice to the under-represented and underserved, promoting social justice, and providing support in times of crisis. There is no response that can remedy the immeasurable losses and violence that the Black community has endured for centuries, but we can renew our call to action as individuals and a community. As is so painfully obvious, and only brought into sharper focus with these recent national events, systemic oppression and racism permeates our society and must be eradicated. We know that a counselor’s role in dismantling oppressive systems is clearly stated throughout our code of ethics. Counselors are also essential to helping communities navigate difficult conversations and serious challenges. However, we must also be able to hold these conversations amongst ourselves. Embracing multiculturalism is only a start. We must stand up and speak out against the injuries and violence of institutional racism. We also must adopt an anti-racist lens in our clinical work, as well as reviewing our policies and practices within our counseling centers to ensure that they increase diversity and inclusion in our staffing and implement on-going training and accountability for knowledge, understanding and skills for the work of anti-racism, and for diversity, inclusion and social justice. It is our sincere expectation that this movement propels college counselors across the nation into reflective and deliberate action. It is essential that individuals in positions of power, whether due to race, socioeconomic status, or position, take up this call to action. There are many ways that we can challenge anti-Blackness in our own communities without shifting focus. We can push past the fear of raising our voice, and we can work to amplify the voices of Black colleagues and students. We can capitalize on our social capital to challenge biased actions and unfair policies. We can donate to causes supporting BIPOC communities. Most of all, we can listen and educate ourselves. We can lean in and let go of the messages about race that we have internalized over a lifetime. As has been said by Maya Angelou, “When we know better, we can do better.” To our Black colleagues: We see your pain. We believe you when you say you are being hurt and oppressed by systemic racism that exists throughout higher education and our nation. We recognize that minority stress and race-based trauma are real and you experience them daily. We will amplify your voices and fight with you and for you, side by side. Social distancing has further isolated you from connecting with other Black counselors, colleagues, and supports preventing many opportunities to draw from a collective strength and wisdom. We realize that we haven’t listened to you in the past and have resisted change out of fear and ignorance. Our Black students deserve access to culturally specific and affirming healing modalities and our Black colleagues deserve effective mentorship, leadership, and supervision that moves beyond cultural competence and is anti-racist. #Blacklivesmatter ACCA is currently working on providing support and spaces to come together and provide a safe place for our membership to process, learn, empathize, and provide support to one another. In addition, ACCA has joined with many divisions of ACA to co-sponsor two important upcoming events (registration information is available on our website). I Need A Minute: A Time for Collective Mourning – Monday, June 8th at 6:30pm EST. Town Hall on Racial Trauma and the Violent and Negligent Policing of Black Americans – Friday, June 19th from 11am-1pm EST In addition, if you are looking for other ways to take action, below are some suggestions, with a more comprehensive list available on our website.
Additional suggested resources are available on our website: collegecounseling.org In Solidarity, Brittany L. Collins, co-chair diversity and inclusion committee Sandy Davis, Member at Large Jessenia Garcia, co-chair diversity and inclusion committee Steffanie Grossman, Member at Large Janelle C. Johnson, Past-President Andrew J. Lee, President-Elect Monica Osburn, Governing Council Representative Rebecca Smith, Secretary Richard Tyler-Walker, President Yulanda Tyre, Treasurer Elena Yee, Member at Large ACCA Statement on COVID-19As we navigate these challenging times, know that ACCA is here to support you. We understand that the impact of COVID-19 has been both personal and professional, and is shifting the way that we navigate our work, home, and relationships with clients, colleagues, and loved ones. We realize that, many times, as helpers, while we help hold the emotions and experiences of those around us, it can be challenging to hold our own emotions and experiences as well. Know that, as members of ACCA as well as the broader university and college counseling community, we stand with you and will do our best to provide resources to help. In times such as these, it is vital to remember that self-compassion and gentleness is as necessary for ourselves as it is for our clients. You are not alone, and we appreciate the work that you are continuing to do and the impact you are making as part of our university and college counseling community and in your other identities. COVID-19 ResourcesThe Higher Education Mental Health Alliance (HEMHA) has release a guid for COVID 19 Resources, you can access it below: Additional Related Resources (Note that ACCA does not endorse a particular site or provider, and this list is meant to provide links to various services and resources.): The Jed Foundation's COVID-19 Resource Guide: https://www.jedfoundation.org/jeds-covid-19-resource-guide/ Free Corona Anxiety Workbook: https://thewellnesssociety.org/free-coronavirus-anxiety-workbook/ List of federal, state, and private grants that exist for Higher Ed. institutions to apply for in order to roll out telehealth: https://mantrahealth.com/post/telehealth-grant-opportunities-for-higher-education American College Health Association (ACHA) Considerations for Reopening Institutions of Higher Education in the COVID-19 Era: The ACHA guidelines, Considerations for Reopening Institutions of Higher Education in the COVID-19 Era, address the administrative, medical, mental health, health promotion/well-being, and campus-wide considerations in reopening college campuses as the COVID-19 pandemic abates. These guidelines are intentionally broad for universal use, and written with the understanding that IHEs should evaluate the feasibility of these recommendations in light of their own campus environment.
Who We AreThe American College Counseling Association is made up of diverse mental health professionals from the fields of counseling, psychology, and social work. Our common theme is working within higher education settings. ACCA membership includes professionals and student members who work largely in college counseling settings. There are a growing number of community college counseling professionals who comprise the second largest group within ACCA. Members hold primarily a master’s or doctoral degree with the largest group being master’s level professionals. Counselor educators and Supervisors are also part of ACCA membership. HEMHA Distance Counseling GuideThe Higher Education Mental Health Alliance (HEMHA) is proud to release our most recent guide, College Counseling from a Distance: Deciding Whether and When to Engage in Telemental Health Services. HEMHA Distance Counseling Guide This guide, along with all other HEMHA resources, are free! Please share this with others whom you think would be interested. This guide focuses on all of the content areas needing consideration to determine if your center wants to participate in Telemental Health Services using an interdisciplinary approach.
| Quick LinksJoin Now! Job Board 2020 Conference Member Resources Contact UsAnnouncementsClick here to access the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources ACCA joins the 4th edition of Health and Well being in Higher Education: A Commitment to Student Success Through a collaboration of the PAPA Committee and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee a new paper on the Increased Need for Counseling Services has been added to the Resources Page The HEMHA Distance Counseling Guide has been added to the resources page. 2018-2019 Research Grant Applications are now being accepted. Follow the link to learn more about ACCA Research Grant AwardsPlease note the addition of the College Counseling & Psychological Services Knowledge Base to the resources page. ACCA Members in the NewsSteffanie Grrossman is quoted in Online Counseling article College Students Diet and Mental Health Janelle Johnson comments on the state of mental services at community colleges. Janelle Johnson on College Counseling” Psychotherapy.net Interview. Follow the link to read the full interview. Janelle Johnson is quoted in the Inside Higher Ed article Colleges Use Technology to Help Students Manage Mental Health, October 5, 2018.
Lisa Adams is quoted in the Washington Post article College Students are forming mental-health clubs - and they're making a difference.
June 28, 2018
Lisa Adams is quoted in the Inside Higher Ed article Flawed Judgement in Use of Force Against Students.
April 19, 2018 Lisa Adams is quoted in the Inside Higher Ed article A World Without Depression. April 3, 2018
Lisa Adams is quoted in the Time article Record Numbers of College Students Are Seeking Treatment for Depression and Anxiety - But Schools Can't Keep Up.
March 19, 2018 Lisa Adams is quoted in the Inside Higher Ed article Moving Away from Charging for Counseling February 7, 2018
Lisa Adams is quoted in the Inside Higher Ed article Suicide Data
January 11, 2018 Lisa Adams is quoted in the Inside Higher Ed article All by Myself October 26, 2017
Lisa Adams is quoted in the Inside Higher Ed article Suicide Victims as Art Subjects
October 10, 2017 |