Introduction

The Counseling Center is here to support students at JMU and is committed to appreciating individual differences within our university community. We strive to promote and affirm student experiences by fostering an emotionally safe, respectful, and supportive environment.

The staff of the Counseling Center views diversity as including all of the various identities and characteristics that comprise unique individuals. In our work, we understand and respect cultural, individual, and role differences—including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, political affiliation, and socioeconomic status—and consider these factors when working with members of the JMU campus community.

We recognize some students may share identities that have been disproportionately affected by past, recent, and current events. Please see below for examples of CC services that can provide support, as well as resources which may be of interest.

The Counseling Center offers a wide-range of services designed to support students in their personal and professional endeavors with the goal of promoting well-being in all aspects of life. Students experiencing recent and/or ongoing stressors, including: adjustment to JMU, academic stress, oppression, aggression, microaggressions, and/or discrimination before or during their academic careers, may wish to access more information on strategies for:

• Managing stress
• Coping with traumatic experiences
• Anxiety
• Depression

In fact, these are common reasons why students seek counseling services here on campus. The Counseling Center offers free, confidential support recommendations to any student who is interested in receiving additional support. During a first visit students meet with a clinician to discuss treatment needs and receive resource referral recommendations.

Services at the CC can include:

Individual & Couples Counseling

Individual counseling provides students with a safe and confidential environment. Counseling at the Counseling Center is a collaborative endeavor in which the counselor and client work together to identify goals and directions for treatment.

Specialized Workshop Series

The Counseling Center offers 3-session and 1-session specialized workshops to assist students in reducing anxiety symptoms, improving mood, increasing resiliency, and improving self-care. These programs include numerous evidence-based strategies and interventions. They are one of the quickest ways to reduce symptoms and access clinical services.

Group Counseling

During the Fall and Spring Semesters of each academic year, the Counseling Center offers confidential group counseling designed to provide support.

Consultation Services

Consultation services are available to students as well as friends, faculty, staff, and family members. These services can help provide an understanding of the available Counseling Center services and how to help support students. To access these services, please contact the Counseling Center and request a consultation, by phone or in person, for you or about someone you know.

This list is not exhaustive and may not address the unique needs of all members of our JMU community who may feel impacted right now because of the identities that they hold. While we are committed to continually updating this information, we encourage you to reach out to our Center (540-568-6552) if you would like support in connecting with services or resources not yet listed.  

Please know that the resources below are not endorsed by the CC and the CC is not responsible for the content of or service(s) provided by these resources. 

Coping with Racism Related Stress & Trauma:

• Coping with Violence, Trauma & Tragedy from JED Campus Foundation
• The Steve Fund responds to the nation's climate on race & resources
• Radical Self-Care in the Face of Mounting Racial Stress
• Coping with Racism-Related Stress from University of Illinois
• Boston College Racial Trauma Toolkit

Asian American and Pacific Islander:

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) — Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders
  ADAA is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through education, practice and research. It has a dedicated webpage on AAPI resources and research information.
• Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA)
  AAPA is a San Francisco-based non-profit organization of Asian American mental health professionals, with the mission of advancing the mental health and well-being of Asian American communities through research, professional practice, education and policy.
• Asian Mental Health Collective
  A new global non-profit organization with the mission of normalizing and de-stigmatizing mental health within the Asian community through projects such as Facebook group, resource library, video web-series and meet-up groups.
• Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF)
  Founded in 1986, APIAHF influences policy, mobilizes communities, and strengthens programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
• Asian Pride Project
  Asian Pride Project is a nonprofit organization that celebrates the journeys, triumphs and struggles of LGBTQ individuals and Asian and Pacific Islander (API) families and communities through the use of arts — film, video, photography and the written word — as a medium for social justice and advocacy.
• Chinese-American Family Alliance for Mental Health (CAFAMH)
  CAFAMH is a NYC-based nonprofit organization that seeks to promote self-empowerment and mutual support among Chinese-American caregivers of individuals with mental illness by providing a safe space for family support group meetings.
• Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA)
  CAA advocates for systemic change that protects immigrant rights, promotes language diversity, and remedies racial and social injustice.
• GAPIMNY
  Empowering queer and trans Asian Pacific Islanders.
• Letters to Strangers
  A global youth-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit seeking to destigmatize mental illness and increase access to affordable, quality treatment for youth aged 13 to 24. Its founder, Diana Chao, and her team of youth advocate leaders represent diverse communities and contribute to the awareness of and advocacy for Asian American youth mental health. Download their Youth-for-Youth Mental Health Guidebook (free digital B&W version) for more in-depth statistics and narratives on AAPI communities.
• Mental Health America
  Asian American/Pacific Islander communities and mental health.
• Mental Health Association for Chinese Communities (MHACC)
  MHACC is a California-based nonprofit organization with a mission of raising awareness of mental health within the Chinese community through advocacy, education, research and support.
• National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA)
  NAAPIMHA is a nonprofit organization with the mission of promoting the mental health and wellbeing of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
• National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)
  NQAPIA is a federation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations.
• Psychology Today
  Psychology Today's directory provides a comprehensive and searchable directory of therapists, psychiatrists and treatment facilities across the U.S. and includes a directory of Asian therapists.

Black/African-American Students:

• Black Girls Smile
  Provides resources linking individuals to local, national and global organizations and entities that promote mental wellness through general or specific initiatives.  
• Black Mental Wellness
  Provides access to evidence-based information and resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective, as well as training opportunities for students and professionals. 
• Black Mental Health Alliance
  Provides information and resources to develop, promote, and sponsor trusted culturally relevant educational forums, trainings and referral services that support the health and well-being of Black people and other vulnerable communities.
• Black Men Heal
  Limited and selective free mental health service opportunities for Black men. 
• Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)
  Group aimed at removing the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing. They do this through education, training, advocacy and the creative arts. 
• Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation
  BLHF launched a COVID-19 Free Virtual Therapy Support Campaign. Individuals with live-changing stressors and anxiety related to the coronavirus will have the cost of up to 5 individual sessions defrayed on a first come, first serve basis until all funds are committed or exhausted.
• Brother You're on My Mind
  An initiative launched by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and NIMHD to raise awareness of the mental health challenges associated with depression and stress that affect African American men and families. They offer an online toolkit that provides Omega Psi Phi Fraternity chapters with the materials needed to educate fellow fraternity brothers and community members on depression and stress in African American men.
• Hurdle
  Provides culturally sensitive self-care support and teletherapy for Black men and their families. Currently in pilot program available only to residents of MD, VA and DC. Residents of other states can join their waiting list and will be notified when Hurdle is available in their state
• POC Online Classroom
  Contains readings on the importance of self-care, mental health care, and healing for people of color and within activist movements.
• Podcast – Therapy for Black Girls
  The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly chat about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves 
• Psychology Today
  Psychology Today's directory provides a comprehensive and searchable directory of therapists, psychiatrists and treatment facilities across the U.S. and includes a directory of Black & African American therapists.
• Sista Afya
  Organization that provides mental wellness education, resource connection and community support for Black women 
• Unapologetically Us
  Online community for African American women to seek support. 

Hispanic/Latinx Students:

• American Society of Hispanic Psychiatry
  Promotes the research, education, advocacy and support for those in the Hispanic community. Offers a “Find a Physician” feature on their website.
• Mental Health America’s Resources for Latinx/Hispanic Communities
  General mental health Spanish-speaking resources, including a list of Spanish-language materials and Spanish-language screening tools.
• Psychology Today
  Psychology Today's directory provides a comprehensive and searchable directory of therapists, psychiatrists and treatment facilities across the U.S. and includes a directory of Hispanic/Latinx therapists.
• Therapy for Latinx
  A database of therapists who either identify as Latinx or has worked closely with and understands the unique needs of the Latinx community. The website is also offered in Spanish.

Indigenous Students:

• Circles of Care: Creating Models of Care for American Indian and Alaska Native Youth
  Describes the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's grant program, Circles of Care, which develops culturally appropriate interventions to serve youth with serious behavioral health challenges.
• Indian Health Service
  A Federal program for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Website includes FAQ for patients and section on Behavior Health services in the AI/AN health care services.
• StrongHearts Native HelpLine (844-762-8483)
  StrongHearts Native Helpline is a domestic violence and dating violence helpline for American Indians and Alaska Natives, offering support 24/7 via phone and online chat. StrongHearts Native Helpline's one-on-one chat sessions with advocates can be accessed by clicking on the “Chat Now” icon at strongheartshelpline.org.

This JMU webpage contains links to other websites not owned or controlled by JMU. These external links are provided as a convenience to individuals who may be interested in this topic. External web addresses contain information created, published, maintained or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of JMU. JMU does not endorse, approve, certify or control  external websites and does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness or correct sequencing of information located at such addresses.