The Derek Chauvin trial: Resources and support for the University community

As the trial of Derek Chauvin comes to a close, and as the nation continues to grapple with a spate of violence and killings over the last few weeks, Princeton is offering resources to the University community, including virtual spaces for processing and discussion. Events such as these challenge us as a community, and also can take a toll on us as individuals. Please seek support if you need it, and offer the same to fellow community members. Princeton was also mentioned in an April 20 abc.com story(Link is external) about universities that are providing mental health support to students as the Derek Chauvin trial continues.

Resources for the University community

• Carebridge(Link is external) (Link opens in new window): The Employee Assistance Program offered through Carebridge is available to help faculty, staff, and eligible dependents cope with everyday life challenges, including anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, substance abuse and more. This benefit offers eight face-to-face, confidential, free counseling sessions, per issue, per person.
• Family-Care, Community-Care and Self-Care Tool Kit: Healing in the Face of Cultural Trauma(Link downloads document) (Link opens in new window): The Association of Black Psychologists produced this extensive guide of ways to promote healing in individuals, families, and communities.
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness(Link is external) (Link opens in new window) (NAMI): NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. The Minnesota chapter of NAMI has created a listing of resources for individuals feeling stressed during the Chauvin trial(Link is external) (Link opens in new window).
• Racial Stress and Self-care for Parents(Link downloads document) (Link opens in new window): The American Psychological Association’s Racial and Ethnic Socialization (RES) process helps parents “influence children’s racial identity and self-concept, beliefs about the way the world works, and repertoire of strategies and skills for coping with and navigating racism and inter- and intra-racial relationships and interactions.” 

Resources for dialogue

• Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center(Link is external) (Link opens in new window): The DDNRC’s resources provide tools to engage in difficult conversations in classroom and other settings.
• Living Room Conversations(Link is external) (Link opens in new window): Provide a simple guide to begin to engage in conversations across topics of conversation such as race, nationality, gender, age, and more.
• Talking About Race(Link is external) (Link opens in new window): The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Talking About Race guide may be helpful in preparing to navigate discussions about race and racism.

Processing spaces

Processing spaces for Princeton students and staff will be held with Dr. George James, therapist and assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University.

• For all students, 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, April 22. Register online(Link is external).
• For all staff: 4-5:15 p.m. Monday, April 26. Register online(Link is external).

Virtual events

April 29. 5:30 p.m. “The Chauvin Verdict: A Psychological, Legal and Societal Reckoning(Link is external).” In this vital conversation, Jonathan Mummolo, assistant professor of politics and public affairs at Princeton, civil rights attorney Caroline Clark, and Dr. George James, therapist and assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University, will break down the trial of Derek Chauvin and discuss the outcome. The conversation will center on the political aspects and race in policing and civilian-police interactions past, present and future. Panelists will also focus on the effects of trauma stemming from the trial and the continued killings and deaths of Black and Brown bodies at the hands of state violence. Moderated by Soorya Baliga, youth adviser for Not in Our Town Princeton. Cosponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Not in Our Town Princeton. Register online(Link is external).