Let’s Talk: from the UO Counseling Center

Let’s Talk is a program that is offered by many university counseling centers across the US with the purpose of decreasing mental health stigma along with reducing barriers and increasing access to support services, particularly for underrepresented and marginalized students. Let’s Talk offers brief informal consultations for students on a drop-in basis in satellite locations in order to help students address specific needs and to support those that might be hesitant to come to the UCC.

There is no need to schedule an appointment, and students are seen on a first come, first-served basis. The UO Counseling Center will have Let’s Talk Monday through Friday from 2pm-4pm. Updated information about Let’s Talk and available counselors are posted on our website (locations/times might change in future terms). https://counseling.uoregon.edu/letstalk

Tags: UO Counseling Center

Undocumented and DACAmented Mental Health

Blog Post by Eric Garcia, PhD, Senior Staff Therapist & Latinx Student Specialist
from the UO Counseling Center website at: https://counseling.uoregon.edu/undocumented-and-dacamented-mental-health

see also: https://cllas.uoregon.edu/resources/daca-info/latinx-undocumented-student-specialists/

Photo by Molly Adams (CC BY 2.0)

It goes without saying that being a dreamer or undocumented can feel like a nightmare. You are tasked with moving forward without the same opportunities provided to others around you. If you have DACA, you’re only able to plan two years of your life a time (assuming there are no abrupt executive orders). If you are mixed-status, you may be greatly worried about your family and loved ones. If you are undocumented and do not consider yourself a dreamer or DACAmented, you may have well-intentioned people (such as myself) who do not always address your unique experiences.

Some of these identities may mean that you miss out on experiences like driving a car, studying abroad, or receiving financial aid. You most likely also have to deal with anti-immigrant rhetoric or experience overt racism and xenophobia in your daily life. Lastly, you may feel the need to keep this aspect of your life to yourself, while only letting a trusted few know what you are going through. I name these experiences not to bring more worries to you, but rather, to acknowledge in amazement the profound challenges that you continue to surmount, as well as to offer some guidance and resources as you continue to press on. › Continue reading

Tags: DACA, Eric Garcia, UO Counseling Center