Combating Racial Battle Fatigue

Michigan State University is providing resources for students experiencing racial battle fatigue

Michigan State has consistently been in the media for public scandals for the past couple of years and as the stories continue to unfold, the media coverage will continue to be publicized. While many political and ethical issues have come up, what administration did not think of is their most important stakeholders — the students and how these incidents will affect them.

Given the current tense climate of the campus, administration has taken extra steps to ensure the overall well-being of the students. Beginning with resources on campus, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) is a one stop counseling center designed to serve students mental health needs.

Located on the third floor of the Michigan State Union, CAPS helps students seeking help for depression, anxiety, stress management, adjustment, acculturation, trauma, and personal mental health concerns. To get started, students can walk-in the office Monday-Thursday from 10:00 AM — 4:30 PM and Friday from 10:00 AM — 3:30 PM, according to their website. If a student cannot make the walk-in times provided or an urgent crisis arises, they can screen for urgent needs, counseling and medication, a consultation appointment, or screen for assistance with referrals to other offices in the Lansing area.

According to the CAPS website, once screening is complete, students are matched with the most appropriate clinician to begin services. Students who are facing racial battle fatigue can enroll in individual counseling or group counseling. In individual counseling, students are offered one-on-one counseling services to help them address a number of concerns. In group counseling, students are receiving mutual support and learning with a group of students who are like-minded.

After an interview with Dr. Terry Frazier, the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, he shared the institution wants to ensure students are receiving the support they need from administration and feel fulfilled in their college experience. CAPS has grown by over 50% since 2015, which he was very proud of.

When asked how they were advertising all of the changes, he said the office is developing a strategy for the utilization of social media. He said he recognizes that a lot of offices on campus need to do a better job at engaging with students on their platforms, but assured there is talk in senior leadership meetings.

Additionally, while providing full services from consultations, appointments, prescriptions, and referrals, they are also connected to many resources for marginalized student resources. Some of their resources include, but are not limited to the Trevor Project (LGBTQ suicide resources), Office of Cultural & Academic Transitions, Ask a Spartan, and the Student Parent Resource Center.

While it is very evident the institution has a lot of work to combat the prevalent issue of racial battle fatigue on campus, they are definitely taking steps in the right direction.

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