As stated as the first tenet of our Patients' Rights and Responsibilities: We believe you have a right to be treated with respect, consideration and dignity, as well as be free from all forms of abuse and harassment on the basis of an race, color, ethnicity, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability (including learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and past or present history of mental illness), veteran’s status, prior conviction of a crime, gender identity or expression, or membership in any other protected classes.

We know there are significant health concerns that arise because of racism—lack of concentration, anger, suicidality, anxiety, numbing, depression, trauma, heart disease, substance use, and hyper-vigilance, among others.

Below are some resources for our Black and non-Black communities of color in support during this difficult and overwhelming time.

Practical things:

• Acknowledge the pain—the anger, injustice, sadness, hurt, disappointment, despair, infuriation, indignation… the list could go on
• Take time for yourself, away from the news—limit your exposure to traumatic images and videos. Do things that heal—sleeping, eating, breathing, drink water, exercise
• Reach out to your community—lean on your network of support through texts, phone calls, FaceTiming, and the like. Sharing our collective pain helps to remind ourselves that we’re not alone in this.
• Use your voice—speak out, demonstrate, do something to help yourself and your community
• Find people to practice allyship—who are those who look differently from you and who can speak to their communities and stand in solidarity with you? It’s not your job to educate everyone else. That’s emotional labor that others can and should take on.
• The burden should not fall on the oppressed to “fix”—we as a diverse community of people take responsibility to do our part in advocating for a just society, eradicating racism, and engaging in a nation and world characterized by love for each other.

Resources:

• One Village Healing: a New Haven-based wellness and healing arts initiative to collectively heal from the impact of systems of oppression with free virtual weekly healing spaces.
• The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation: is currently offering free therapy during COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Steve Fund: a mental health and suicide prevention organization specifically focused on young people of color.
• Racism - Public Health Crisis (YouTube video)

 

Readings/Toolkits:

• Black Lives Matter resources
• The Audre Lorde Project; breaking isolation: self-care and community care tools
• Bon Appetit: Mental Health Resources Supporting Black People
• American Public Health Association: Racism and Health

Meditations:

• Coming Back to Breath Meditation by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
• A written meditation: Lovingkindness Meditation for Oppressive Experiences adapted from Sharon Salzberg

 

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN
UConn Student Health and Wellness has been awarded the "LGBTQ health care Equality Leader" designation in the HRC's Healthcare Equality Index.

 

 

UCONN OFFICE FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION