Mental health symposium will offer support for minorities


LAWRENCE —The University of Kansas Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies, along with the Latinx Studies Initiative, will host a mental health symposium to support students — particularly minorities and those affected by recent U.S. policy changes on immigration.

The event will take place 1-5 p.m. Feb. 19 on the sixth floor of the Kansas Union.

 

CLACS members have organized or participated in many discussions over the past year about immigration, documented status, executive orders, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and how policy is affecting KU students and the Lawrence community.

 

“Many students on campus are directly affected by the very real possibilities of deportation, family separation or losing DACA status,” said Marta Caminero-Santangelo, CLACS director. "Students of color on campus also continue to be impacted by racist rhetoric as well as microaggressions that suggest they don’t belong."

 

Caminero-Santangelo said that students report experiencing these issues at a personal level in their classrooms, from their peers and instructors, where they live and where they study. Yet she also noted, “Many students know that there are people at KU who care about student well-being and support systems in place to help students navigate stressors.” 

 

The symposium has two goals:

  • Provide important information and discuss stresses affecting all students, especially students of color, at regional institutions and communities more broadly
  • Gather experts, professionals and practitioners to lead breakout sessions designed to offer resources and coping mechanisms for daily stressors.

 

This event is free and open to the public. It is supported by the Office of the Vice Provost for Diversity & Equity, Counseling and Psychological Services, Health Education Resource Office, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Latin American Student Union, Latin American Graduate Organization, Centro Hispano and Center for Community Outreach. For questions, email clacs@ku.edu

Thu, 02/08/2018

author

Stefanie Torres

Media Contacts

Stefanie Torres

Latin American & Caribbean Studies