The staff of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) created this space to acknowledge that while student life can be consuming due to academic demands, being a student is only one aspect of an individual’s identity. The current events of the world beyond, and within, the University of Michigan campus continue to evolve and shape the lived experience of us all. As a result, we think that it is important for the university community to remain aware of global, national, and local events, especially those that might impact the campus community and students’ daily life, health, and wellness.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) affirms diversity, is committed to providing culturally competent services, and works to condemn oppression in every form. Now we have created this webpage to acknowledge current issues, offer support, and provide information that matches our commitment to fostering diversity and the inclusion of all students who are navigating the events of a very complex world.
UM CAPS wants to extend our support and our work and our commitment to the UM student community as we all navigate the acts of hate that occurred last week in Louisville on October 24th where two African American individuals and in Pittsburgh October 27th when 11 Jewish individuals were senselessly targeted and lost to acts of violence.
On September 5, 2017 it was announced that the federal government plans to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), which has caused concern for many across the country. This decision will have serious implications for many individuals, including our University of Michigan students, who are either directly or indirectly impacted by this policy. We in CAPS want to clearly say that DACA students are welcomed and valued members of our campus community, and we support them and their presence on this campus.
We Stand for All Students: CAPS Support of International Students Following Immigration Restriction Policy Changes
The staff at UM Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) stand along side President Schlissel, and the entire university administration, in support of our diverse International Student community:
As we reflect on local, national, and international events this past year, particularly political events this week, we at Counseling and Psychological Services want to affirm our diversity statement:
CAPS stand in solidarity with all individuals and communities who have been directly or indirectly impacted by the numerous tragedies and lives lost this year by senseless, unthinkable acts of hate and violence. We continue, as a community to mourn the loss and irrational deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile whose lives were tragically taken on July 5th and July 6th . We also mourn the loss of the five police officers that were killed, and express empathy towards several others who were injured on July 7, 2016 in Dallas, Texas.
In light of the significant disruption in the United States Capitol, CAPS extends our support to all of us as these events can affect our mental health. And, some of us are greatly affected. These threatening and violent acts are disturbing, and the difference in responses between January 6th, 2021, and over the summer with Black Lives Matter protests is noticeable and hurtful to our progress as a society.
Our collective mental health depends on our acknowledgement and affirmation that "Black Lives Matter" because the dignity and worth of every life demands this be true. The need to affirm that “Black Lives Matter,” demonstrated in frequent protests, says a lot about who we are, our culture, and our society. We at CAPS believe the outrage is real, warranted, necessary, and brave. We would like to acknowledge the emotions that our UM community is experiencing after the senseless killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery.
Recent acts of hatred and intolerance have shaken our campus and have caused harm to our individual and community well-being echoing the racial unrest in the country and around the world. Flyers filled with hate and mocking of a new institutional student pronoun practice aimed at promoting inclusivity for trans and gender-nonconforming students have been harmful to our campus community.
We acknowledge the emotions that many U of M students, faculty, and staff are experiencing as a result of the recent deaths of Alton Sterling on July 5th in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile on July 6th in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, and offer our support and condolences to those who have been impacted directly and indirectly. These young Black men died at the hands of police officers, and the number of Black and Brown individuals that are killed in similar situations, unfortunately, continue to increase.
With responses to the massacre in Orlando coming from across our campus and the country, it may be helpful to collect a few on this page.
University of Michigan Counseling and Psychological Services Response
A Message from President Obama found HERE
A Message from UM President found HERE
