Discrimination and Racism Resources

Ongoing discrimination and racism, microaggressions, and national events and dialogue over race can produce stress, overwhelm, and in some cases, trauma. Trauma experienced, whether directly or vicariously, has negative effects on one’s psychological well-being. If you are experiencing the impact of discrimination and racism, you can call CAPS at (415) 422-6352 or -6351 during business hours (Mon–Fri, 8:30 am–5 pm) for more information about how we can help. You can also call our All Hours Line 24/7 at (855) 531-0761 to talk to a professional counselor to get emotional support or to get help during a mental health crisis. There are also a number of resources for information, support, advocacy, and connection listed here for people of color and for white allies.

  • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): A nonprofit, non-partisan organization that fights government abuse and vigorously defends individual freedoms including speech and religion, a woman’s right to choose, the right to due process, citizens’ rights to privacy, and much more.
  • Anti-Defamation League (ADL): A global nonprofit fighting antisemitism through education, resources, and advocacy. 
  • Anti-Racism Resources for White People: A list of various resources for those who are working to educate themselves and take action against racism, including resources for parents around raising anti-racist children.

  • Asian and Pacific Islander Legal Outreach: Provides culturally competent and linguistically appropriate legal representation, social services, and advocacy for marginalized Bay Area AAPI residents

  • BASE Mental Health Ambassadors: A program created to help USF's Black-identified students increase peer support around mental health and wellbeing. Contact BASE for peer support drop-in hours. Located in the Black Resource Center, Gleeson Library 2nd Floor, Room 234.

  • Black Lives Matter: A global organization whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.

  • Black Lives Matter Meditation: A 17-minute guided meditation using mindfulness, affirmation, and metta (loving-kindness) for healing racial trauma for African Americans. Led by Dr. Candice Nicole, a counseling psychologist, a healer, and a Black woman.
  • … But I’m Not Racist: Tools for Well-Meaning Whites: A book that is free to download, by Kathy Obear, Ed.D., a consultant, trainer, speaker, and executive life coach. A guide for white people to better understand and work on dismantling racism.
  • Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR): A nonprofit, grassroots civil rights and advocacy organization, which is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties organization, with affiliate offices nationwide. Its national headquarters is located on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
  • Crisis Text Line: A national text support service staffed by trained peer volunteer counselors. Crisis Text Line provides general support to anyone in the United States and also has partnered with The Steve Fund to provide text support for people of color by peer counselors of color. To reach a peer counselor of color, text STEVE to 741741 any time or visit https://www.stevefund.org/crisistextline/. For general support in the United States, text HOME to 741741 or visit https://www.crisistextline.org/. The website also provides info on crisis text lines in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
  • Family­-Care, Community-­Care, and Self-­Care Tool Kit: Healing in the Face of Cultural Trauma: Handbook from the Association of Black Psychologists, published in 2016, with information and coping strategies for Black people and communities. 
  • Human Rights Campaign Communities of Color page: Information and resources regarding the unique challenges facing LGBTQ communities of color.
  • MENA Mental Health: How to Support & Advocate for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Mental Health. 
  • Mental Health Referral Information for Diverse Communities: Off-campus mental health referral resources for specific ethnic, racial, and cultural groups; click on the "Culturally Specific Referrals" drop-down menu at the bottom of the page.
  • NAACP: The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
  • NALEO Education Fund: The United States’ leading nonprofit, non-partisan organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process, from citizenship to public service.
  • National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA): A coalition of 36 national Asian Pacific American organizations around the United States that is based in Washington D.C., and serves to represent the interests of the greater Asian American (AA) and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities and to provide a national voice for AA and NHPI issues.
  • Right to Be (formerly Hollaback!): A nonprofit whose mission is to end harassment in all forms by transforming the culture that perpetuates harassment and discrimination. They carry out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe and welcoming environments for all.
  • Safe Black Space: A Sacramento, CA-based organization for people 14 and older of African ancestry who are experiencing racial stress, anxiety, and/or trauma; provides Community Healing Circles and Emotional Emancipation Circles℠.
  • SAMHSA Behavioral Health Equity: A division of the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) dedicated to the right to access quality health care for all populations regardless of the individual’s race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or geographical location. This includes access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services for mental and substance use disorders.
  • San Francisco District Attorney’s Office Hotline: Report hate crimes, including those related specifically to COVID-19, by calling (415) 551-9595; the website has additional information and resources regarding combatting hate crimes, accessing victim services, and more.
  • Showing Up for Racial Justice: A national nonprofit with local chapters that aims to move white folks into accountable action as part of a multi-racial movement through community organizing, mobilizing, and education.
  • Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC): An organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy.
  • The Steve Fund: A nonprofit focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.
  • Stop AAPI Hate: A San Francisco-based organization that offers a nationwide hotline for reporting discrimination and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and provides other resources.
  • UNIDOS US: Formerly known as National Council of La Raza, UNIDOS US has remained a trusted, nonpartisan voice for Latinos that serves the Hispanic community through research, policy analysis, and state and national advocacy efforts, as well as program work in communities nationwide.
  • United We Dream: The largest immigrant youth-led community in the United States, which creates welcoming spaces for young people—regardless of immigration status—to support, engage, and empower them to make their voice heard and to win.
  • White Allies USF Page: Resources for white allies to build anti-racism.
  • White Privilege Resource Guide from Gleeson Library: A list of resources to help white people examine white privilege and combat racism.