The Department of Psychological Sciences is committed to dismantling racism and creating an equitable environment for its students, faculty, and staff (see Diversity and Inclusion). Here at AUPSC we stand by the Department’s commitment to inclusivity. We approach mental health care with the understanding that we need to educate ourselves about the lived experiences of people from different walks of life but must also understand that cultural humility requires continual openness and a willingness to learn about others. To that end, all of our clinicians are required to complete the American Psychological Association approved training, Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals. Additionally, many of our clinicians and faculty have also completed Auburn University’s Safe Zone training, which is designed to educate participants about the LGBTQ+ community.
In addition to trainings, some of our students and faculty are actively involved in the Department’s Diversity and Inclusion committee. Recent diversity-related efforts at AUPSC include improving signage for accessible entrances and gender inclusive restrooms, curating artwork that communicates our expectation of equity and inclusivity to all those who join us in Cary Hall, and creating a bulletin board, which will allow us to make mental health resources more accessible to students. Among those resources is a clinician-created handout: BIPOC Guide to Mental Health.