Black Lives Matter

A Note from the Assistant Vice Chancellor:

Counseling & Educational Support Services joins with the KU Medical Center community in expressing our grief, sorrow and compassion to all who have been impacted by the race-based tragedies that have been occurring across our nation. We are appalled and outraged by the racist killings of recent months and stand in solidarity with our Black and African American community. These tragedies reflect a longstanding and entrenched history of structural and systemic injustice and violence, and we stand against racism and hate in all forms. Our staff is committed to taking action to address systemic oppression, racism and discrimination in our community. As a department and members of the medical center community, we are deliberately challenging our own personal and professional biases and we are committed to the work of anti-racism.

As mental health clinicians, we understand that oppressive and harmful systems have a direct impact on mental well-being. In the aftermath of experiencing or witnessing racial injustice and violence, we can experience a range of feelings and emotions, such as shock, fear, sadness, anger, grief, helplessness and/or guilt. As a service, we are committed to providing affirming and racial trauma-informed care for all of our students and residents who have been directly or vicariously impacted by trauma.

We encourage you to contact our office if you, or someone you know, would like support with coping and healing. Counselors are available for appointments.

Sincerely,

Larry Long, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
Director of Counseling & Educational Support Services
Licensed Psychologist