Resources for UK Community to Find Support

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 30, 2020) — Following recent news surrounding the tragic death of Breonna Taylor, the University of Kentucky has several resources of support to offer the UK community as students — and the faculty and staff who support them and process these issues themselves — begin to move forward. 

“The reckoning we now confront as a country cannot be for one moment or one semester,” President Eli Capilouto said in an email to the campus Wednesday, Sept. 23. “We must, necessarily, carry it with us always — as both burden and reminder, as collective grief and motivation.” 

Carrying that burden, though, doesn’t have to be done alone. There are places, spaces and resources on campus that can provide support.

Faculty and Staff 

For employees, the University of Kentucky has Work+Life Connections counseling that is free and confidential. If you're in Kentucky, Work+Life Connections offers counseling appointments from the comfort of your home, either through Zoom video or a phone call. LiveHealth Online is also available to all UK employees regardless of location.

Employees can make an appointment through the Work+Life Connections site or call 859-257-8763.

Meanwhile, the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) provides several resources for equity, inclusion and diversity that faculty members can use in their classes. The Teach Anywhere website provides information about CELT workshops and events as well CELT's invitation for faculty members to share their ideas and concerns as they support students during this difficult time. Visit https://teachanywhere.uky.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion-workshops for more information.  

Employees and Students

The Office of Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice (formerly known as Bias Incident Support Services) continues to provide ongoing confidential support and advocacy for any student, staff member or faculty member who has experienced behavior that makes them feel as though they do not belong at UK due to their actual or perceived identity.

This includes academic and on-campus housing advocacy for undergraduate, graduate, professional and post-doctoral students in need. Examples of behaviors include but are not limited to acts of conscious and unconscious bias, microaggressions, exposure to language and imagery rooted in racism and oppression. EISJ also connects people in need with campus and community resources to help them navigate through the trauma of racial and social injustice.

The Office of Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice may be reached by phone at 859-257-3189; or email to BISS@uky.edu.

Students

The Counseling Center offers several resources for students and additional resources for our communities of color.

Students can call 859-257-8701 to make an appointment or speak with a clinician. The center is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday but can be reached by phone for crises/urgent availability outside of business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays and university closings.