UNT Counseling Program

We are all deeply disturbed and saddened by the tragic events that led to the murder of George Floyd. Once again, we ask why an unarmed black man was killed by a police officer while colleagues looked on without intervening. People of color and white allies everywhere in our country have shown their shock and outrage through protests, and the collective rage people feel has led to more violent actions while we wait for answers. But no answers have been given.

Before the COVID-19 crisis, we started to take a harder look at our culture, and the impact of discrimination and racism on our campus. That dialogue, and the healthy response to becoming a more intentionally inclusive campus, largely stopped as we took on yet another crisis. Today, I am calling on everyone in our community to show our caring and compassionate values. It is a time to come together – to listen – and to have the difficult and uncomfortable conversations we need to become the inclusive and caring community we aspire to be.

This week, I am inviting our community to rekindle these discussions. Our university will host two virtual Black Lives Matter President’s Town Halls with the first one set for students from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 5. The second one is for faculty and staff and will be hosted from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, June 8. The discussions will be framed around the three questions: How are we feeling? How does this relate to my experience at UNT? How can we move forward? Community members can ask questions during the event or send me questions in advance to [email protected].

As a higher education community, we want peace and racial justice as we continue honestly reckoning with our past. I hope you will join me and other campus leaders in this critical conversation that will help us return to campus as a stronger, more united community that celebrates our diversity, caring nature and commitment to a community where everyone feels equally valued.

Read President Smatresk’s full message: https://www.unt.edu/notices/we-must-stand-together-official-notice-president

UNT Counselors for Social Justice is honored to announce a new initiative in place for UNT counseling students and faculty. {Collective Voices} is a support group creating safe space and allowing for connection through mutual vulnerability in processing current events of oppression. As a collective, our voices will be heard, igniting a movement of healing for mental health professionals as well as our clients and community.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS.

Dr. Peggy Ceballos will be leading our first {Collective Voices} meeting on June 19, 2020 @ 4pm via Zoom.

Dear Counseling Students,
In the wake of current events that are causing so much pain and grief in the Black community, we want to send a message of solidarity to the students, families, clients, and all community members who today suffer the consequences. Many of you work with families who have been deeply affected by these recent events. As counselors, these times remind us of the importance of advocacy work and the need to provide resources and support to those in emotional pain. The call for engagement in servant leadership and for supporting one another takes precedence in moments like these. In response, the Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ) chapter, will be offering a process group (see attached flyer for more information). In addition, the following link is for a podcast that Dr. Cartwright in collaboration with other colleagues did last week regarding the recent events (see below for detailed information):

The Thoughtful Counselor Episode 172 - Community Stress and Black America - An Urgent Matter with The Four Doctors (Links to an external site.)
About this Episode:
The Four Doctors – Janeé Avent Harris, Angie D. Cartwright, Loni Crumb, and Dominique S. Hammonds – discuss Mental Health Awareness Month, the unique mental health concerns of Black communities, and how the senseless murders of Black individuals and most recently the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery, result in community stress, fear, and collective trauma in Black families and communities.

Sincerely,
Dr. Ceballos and Dr. Lindo

EP172: Community Stress and Black America – An Urgent Matter with The Four Doctors Visit the post for more.