AS&E Students
Arts and Sciences, Engineering, SMFA at Tufts
TUFTS.EDU
AS&E Students
Arts and Sciences, Engineering, SMFA at Tufts
Health & Wellness

Identity-Based Resources

For BIPOC StudentsFor International StudentsFor Undocumented StudentsFor Trans StudentsFor Asexual, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Pansexual, Queer, & Questioning Students

 

 

BIPOC Students

CMHS values the unique challenges and experiences of our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students and intentionally works to provide the care and support that is needed. Historically, the health care system has harmed BIPOC individuals and communities, leading to warranted distrust and skepticism. CMHS practices cultural humility and is committed to creating inclusive, liberated spaces to affirm and support our BIPOC students. 

Attending a predominantly white institution (PWI) is an experience that can be stressful and invalidating. CMHS staff try to provide support, understanding, and compassion to help BIPOC students navigate the ever increasing challenges of academic and university life. We are fully aware that for our BIPOC students to maximize their significant strengths, intelligence, talents, and potential, it will take a concerted effort and commitment from CMHS as well as from others in the Tufts community.

  • Live Another Day - Extensive information on mental health and substance use for people of color. The organization’s mission is equal access to life-saving resources.

Racial Trauma

Black and African American Communities

General Resources

Tufts-Specific Resources

  • Let’s Talk with CMHS counselor Kia Alston in the Africana Center
  • Thriving Campus: Find off-campus mental health providers who self-identify as Black or African American 

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Communities

General Resources

Tufts-Specific Resources:

  • Let’s Talk with CMHS counselor Andrew Yuen in the Asian American Center
  • Thriving Campus: Find off-campus mental health providers who self-identify as Asian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander 

Latinx and Hispanic Communities

General Resources

Tufts-Specific Resources

  • Thriving Campus : Find off-campus mental health providers who self-identify as Latinx

Native and Indigenous Communities

General Resources

Tufts-Specific Resources

  • Thriving Campus: Find off-campus mental health providers who self-identify as Native and/or Indigenous

International Students

Counseling is a familiar and often utilized resource in the United States, but it is not necessarily well-known or well-utilized in all countries and cultures. The following information may be helpful if you are new to the idea of counseling or if you are wondering if it could be helpful for you.

What Is Counseling?

  • Counseling is private and confidential.
  • Counseling at CMHS is free of charge to undergraduate students and to graduate students who have paid the Health and Wellness fee.

In many countries and cultures, informal counseling occurs in relationships where two or more people work together towards understanding and resolving a problem or difficulty. For example, you may have called your close friends when something upset you or you wanted to tell them about stressful experiences. Another example is that you may have turned to your parents or siblings for advice or support.

In the United States, international students often do not have immediate access to their primary support system. In addition, international students may experience increasing stress due to homesickness or to adjusting to the college environment, language, and culture in the U.S. In counseling, a professional can support you  in a way that is different from your family and friends. A counselor helps students discuss their concerns in a safe and friendly environment, provides an objective viewpoint, and is confidential. 

Is my problem appropriate for Counseling? 

There is no such thing as right/appropriate or wrong/inappropriate issues that can be presented in counseling. Tufts students address many things in counseling. Examples include:

  • Stress management ("I feel stressed out" or "I feel my muscles are tensed")
  • Relationship concerns ("I just broke up with my boyfriend/girlfriend/partner and I feel sad  and lonely")
  • Homesickness and loneliness ("I miss my family and I feel lonely and isolated")
  • Academic pressures ("I have difficulty concentrating on my studies" or "I am extremely worried that I will disappoint my parents")
  • Career ("I am not sure what I want to major in" or "I am concerned about getting a job after graduation")
  • Language and cultural differences ("I am concerned about speaking in a class" or "I feel like people are misunderstanding me because of cultural differences")
  • Anxious feelings (“I feel anxious about taking a test" or "I feel anxious about speaking to others")
  • Depressed mood (“I have lost motivation and interest in activities" or "I sleep a lot and don't want to hang out with friends")
  • Physical illness ("I experience headache/stomachache/fatigue/chest pain/dizziness, but the doctor said that there is nothing wrong with me")
  • Sleeping difficulty (“I sleep a lot" or "I can’t fall asleep" or "I don't feel rested after sleeping")
  • Eating concerns ("I eat a lot when I feel stressed out" or "I am very concerned about my weight")

Can I receive Counseling in my native language?

At CMHS, we provide therapy in several different languages. Review our Staff Bios page to see what languages our clinicians speak. 

If you’re looking for a language not listed on our staff bios page, our Care Manager can help you find off campus care in the language you feel most comfortable with.

Undocumented Students

This is a particularly stressful time for students impacted by immigration status. CMHS offers confidential support that is free of charge to full-time undergraduate and graduate students as well as to part-time students who have paid the Health & Wellness fee.

For academic, community, and legal resources, visit the FIRST Center’s webpage for undocumented students.

Trans Students

Tufts Counseling and Mental Health Service affirms and supports students of all gender identities and gender expressions. Our staff is trained in providing informed mental health care to Tufts students, regardless of gender identity or expression.

Our forms offer you the opportunity to self-identify gender, and our electronic medical record gives the option to share your pronouns and name in use. We also provide support for individuals seeking letters for gender-affirming medical procedures. Like our partners at Health Services, we strive to provide a safe, intentional space where trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students can have all of their physical and mental health and wellness needs met.

General Resources

Tufts Resources

Local Community Resources

Asexual, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Pansexual, Queer, & Questioning Students

General Resources

Tufts-Specific Resources

  • Tufts LGBT Center
  • Let’s Talk with CMHS counselor Stefan Jadasweski in the LGBT Center 
  • Thriving Campus: Find off-campus mental health providers who self-identify as asexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, pansexual, queer, and/or questioning