CAPS is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice. We strive to support the mental health and wellbeing of all students by creating an environment of trust, respect, and openness.
We are dedicated to honoring individual differences and experiences including those related to race, ethnicity, national origin, spiritual and religious beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, mixed family status, family structure, body shape and size, political affiliation, and socio-economic status. We recognize that mental health is deeply impacted by experiences of marginalization and oppression and strive to work with our clients in a culturally informed and sensitive manner.
At CAPS and Campus Health, we believe that cultural responsiveness requires continuous learning, both personally and as an organization, and we are committed to making CAPS a safe, affirming, and welcoming space for all University of Arizona students.
This is our commitment to you.
Inclusive and Welcoming Services
CAPS strives to provide services that are culturally informed and inclusive of underrepresented students. We also work to provide spaces, services, and resources specifically created for students who may experience marginalization. We look forward to continuing to expand these resources.
CAPS Services and Resources for Underrepresented Groups and Allies:
Ongoing Professional Development
We are committed to the lifelong journey of developing cultural humility and cultural responsiveness, both personally and professionally as counselors and as a campus organization. Below are a few examples of the types of trainings completed by the CAPS staff. CAPS has also committed to diversity and inclusion training for the entire CAPS staff.
- White Awake: Study Support & Action – Cultivating Resilient Allies in Struggle
- Hey, White Therapist, Here’s Where We Start
- Cultural Humility Series: Social Class Bias & the Negative Impact on Treatment Outcomes
- Lifting LGBTQIA Voices of Color: Racism Among Gender & Sexual Minorities
- Lifting Black Voices: Therapy, Trust, and Racial Trauma
- Implicit Bias in Healthcare
- SafeZone Training
Outreach
CAPS strives to create welcoming and inclusive outreach programming. Each year we receive 120+ requests for outreach programming that reaches over 6,000 students. These programs cover a variety of topics, several of which address the needs of underrepresented students, as well as trainings for student organizations that are also working to create more inclusive and welcoming spaces. Please contact CAPS if you would like to request an Outreach program at (520) 621-3334.
Public Accountability
In June of 2020, the Coalition of Black Students and Allies (a student-led group) published a list of demands addressed to the University of Arizona. This list included specific demands for CAPS which were addressed in CAPS and CHS’ response to COBA demands. Updates on CHS/CAPS progress in responding to these demands can be found on the CHS Diversity and Inclusion page CHS Diversity and Inclusion website.
Ongoing Feedback
It is critical that we at CAPS and Campus Health hear from students as we learn to better serve the QT+BIPOC members of the University community. If you have feedback for us, we invite you to share it here. All comments will be reviewed monthly at the Diversity & Inclusion Committee Meetings.