University Counseling Center
Diversity & Inclusion Statement
The University Counseling Center values each student’s unique cultural background and experiences. Culture is an important consideration in the counseling process as it often frames how we view mental health concerns, experience symptoms and can impact our choice in treatment options, as well as our treatment outcomes. We strive to offer an inclusive, safe space where individuals feel respected and supported in their counseling experience. Our counselors are committed to understanding how diversity may impact your counseling experience and actively engage in ongoing cultural competency training to better your personal experience. Your counselor will be your partner in understanding how your culture may impact the counseling experience. We recognize the harmful effects that prejudice and discrimination have on individuals and groups and can provide support and resources to assist students in gaining healthy coping skills. We are advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion in the larger campus community, as well as the Macomb community.
Land Acknowledgement
Western Illinois University-Macomb is located on the ancestral lands of the Illinois (Inoca) Indigenous people. The Inoca were a tribe within the Peoria tribe, which was one of the five main tribes of the Illinois Confederation. There were 12 to 13 tribes who lived in the Mississppi River Valley. Tribes occupied an area reaching from Lake Michicigao (Michigan) to Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. The five main tribes were the Cahokia, Kaskaskia, Michigamea, Peoria, and Tamaro.
The University Counseling Center has created a list of campus resources, as well as web resources for individuals of varied backgrounds.
Students of Color
Web Resources
Asian American Students
- https://blog.samhsa.gov/2019/05/22/destigmatizing-mental-health-in-asian-american-and-pacific-islander-communities
- https://www.samhsa.gov/behavioral-health-equity/aanhpi
- https://www.vice.com/en/article/xwgg4d/asian-americans-are-undergoing-a-silent-mental-health-crisis
- http://diverseeducation.com/article/115896/
- https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Asian-American-and-Pacific-Islander
African Americans or Black Students
- https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Black-African-American
- https://www.samhsa.gov/behavioral-health-equity/black-african-american
- https://www.melaninandmentalhealth.com/
- https://adaa.org/finding-help/blackcommunitymentalhealth
- http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/the-stream/the-latest/2013/10/21/overcoming-mentalhealthstigmaintheafricanamericancommunity.html
Latinx Students
- https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Hispanic-Latinx
- https://www.healthyamericas.org/
- https://www.mhanational.org/issues/latinxhispanic-communities-and-mental-health
- https://www.samhsa.gov/behavioral-health-equity/hispanic-latino
- https://www.nami.org/getattachment/Get-Involved/What-Can-I-Do/Engage-Your-Community/Speaking-with-Latinos-about-Mental-Health/Esperanza_There-Is-No-Health.pdf
Campus Resources
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/casa/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/gbcc/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/wc/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/srrri/codeofconduct.php
- http://wiu.edu/student_success/student_development/
- https://www.wiu.edu/provost/students.php
International Students
Web Resources
- https://www.mhanational.org/blog/mental-health-impacts-and-support-international-students-covid-19
- https://www.washington.edu/counseling/resources-for-students/international-students-and-cultural-shock/
- https://www.rw-3.com/blog/cultural-adaptation-challenges-faced-by-international-students
- https://nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/Understanding-Culture-Shock-in-International-Students.aspx
- https://internationalstudentpathfinder.com/how-to-handle-culture-shock-a-guide-for-international-students/
Campus Resources
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/casa/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/gbcc/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/wc/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/srrri/codeofconduct.php
- http://wiu.edu/student_success/student_development/
- https://www.wiu.edu/provost/students.php
First-Generation Students
Web Resources
- https://firstgen.naspa.org/scholarly-article/supporting-the-mental-health-needs-of-first-generation-college-students
- https://www.opencampusmedia.org/2020/02/21/are-students-sacrificing-mental-health-for-a-diploma/
- https://www.activeminds.org/blog/a-double-life-the-thoughts-of-a-first-generation-college-student/
- https://www.wgbh.org/news/education/2019/11/20/struggling-with-perceived-isolation-many-first-gen-college-students-face-mental-health-problems
- https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1035&context=mcnair
Campus Resources
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/casa/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/gbcc/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/wc/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/srrri/codeofconduct.php
- http://wiu.edu/academicadvising/
- https://www.wiu.edu/tasc/
- http://wiu.edu/student_success/student_development/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/financial_aid/
- https://www.wiu.edu/libraries/bgs/docs/Tips_for_Online_Learning_Success.pdf
- https://www.wiu.edu/university_writing_center/
- https://www.wiu.edu/provost/students.php
Undocumented Students
Web Resources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31212126/
- https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/education/stress-and-trauma/undocumented-immigrants
- https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/July-2019/Mental-Health-Challenges-in-Immigrant-Communities
- https://namisouthbay.com/2016/10/09/mental-health-and-undocumented-residents/
- https://www.calhealthreport.org/2019/02/20/undocumented-immigrants-arent-getting-needed-mental-health-care-report-finds/
Campus Resources
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/casa/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/gbcc/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/wc/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/srrri/codeofconduct.php
- http://wiu.edu/student_success/student_development/
- https://www.wiu.edu/provost/students.php
Nontraditional Students
Web Resources
- https://www.higheredtoday.org/2019/04/22/mental-health-post-traditional-learners/#:~:text=Nontraditional%20students%20scored%20significantly%20higher,and%20depression%20than%20traditional%20students.&text=Post%2Dtraditional%20students%20are%20not,%2C%20family%20obligations%2C%20and%20school
- https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2015/04/nontraditional-student
- https://www.thebillfold.com/2019/01/going-back-to-school-as-a-nontraditional-student/
- https://www.communitycollegereview.com/blog/the-top-challenges-for-non-traditional-students-in-community-college
- http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1377/2/todays-non-traditional-student-challenges-to-academic-success-and-degree-completion
Campus Resources
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/srrri/codeofconduct.php
- http://wiu.edu/academicadvising/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/financial_aid/
- https://www.wiu.edu/libraries/bgs/docs/Tips_for_Online_Learning_Success.pdf
- http://wiu.edu/student_success/student_development/
- https://www.wiu.edu/tasc/
- https://www.wiu.edu/university_writing_center/
- https://www.wiu.edu/provost/students.php
LGBTQA+ Students
Web Resources
- https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/LGBTIQ
- https://www.samhsa.gov/behavioral-health-equity/lgbt
- https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/lgbtq/
- https://www.sheppardpratt.org/lgbtq/
- https://www.mhanational.org/issues/lgbtq-communities-and-mental-health
Campus Resources
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/mcc/lgbtqa/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/srrri/codeofconduct.php
- http://wiu.edu/student_success/student_development/
- https://www.wiu.edu/provost/students.php
Religious and Spiritual Students
Web Resources
- https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/living-with-mental-illness/wellbeing-physical-health/spirituality-religion-and-mental-illness/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2755140/
- https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Individuals-with-Mental-Illness/Faith-Spirituality
- https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/impact-spirituality.pdf
- https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/treatments-and-wellbeing/spirituality-and-mental-health
Campus Resources
Ability and Disability Status Students
Web Resources
- https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/People-with-Disabilities
- https://adata.org/factsheet/health
- https://www.samhsa.gov/dbhis-collections/persons-with-disabilities
- https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/mental-health-and-mental-disorders
- https://mha.ohio.gov/Health-Professionals/About-Mental-Health-and-Addiction-Treatment/Mental-Illness-and-Intellectual-Disability\
Campus Resources
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/disability_resources/
- https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/srrri/codeofconduct.php
- http://wiu.edu/student_success/student_development/
- https://www.wiu.edu/provost/students.php
Microaggressions
Web Resources
- https://academicaffairs.ucsc.edu/events/documents/Microaggressions_Examples_Arial_2014_11_12.pdf
- https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/officeofthemayor/2019/deepmicroaggressionsworksheetfilledin012619.pdf
- https://hbr.org/2020/07/when-and-how-to-respond-to-microaggressions
- https://advancingjustice-la.org/sites/default/files/ELAMICRO%20A_Guide_to_Responding_to_Microaggressions.pdf
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-respond-to-racial-microaggressions
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