Dear Colleagues, 

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As advocates of the emotional needs of all people, along with our commitment to social justice, ACA stands with people and organizations of conscience around the world in condemning the ongoing, unprovoked Russian incursion into Ukraine. This invasion has already resulted in the loss of innocent lives and uprooted hundreds of thousands of innocent Ukrainians from their homes.

The fortitude of the Ukrainian people is to be admired, given the adversity that they face. As this conflict continues, the consequences loom large for Ukrainian children, adults and families, who have experienced post-Soviet independence for three decades as a fledgling democracy. Despite the voices and images of resilience, this highly volatile situation, and its unpredictable consequences, has the potential for long-term damage to the mental health of those who call Ukraine their home.

 

As we continue to hope for peace, we urge our members to consider supporting the following organizations that are asking for assistance to help alleviate a growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine:

• UNICEF

  • UNICEF supports health, nutrition, safe drinking water, sanitation and protection for children and families caught in the conflict in Ukraine.

• Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders

  • MSF is conducting a range of activities in Ukraine to help people travel to health care facilities and access prescribed medications.

• International Committee of the Red Cross

  • The Switzerland-based international organization seeks to help people affected by the conflict and support the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross.

• Save the Children

  • The London-based organization helps deliver essential humanitarian aid to vulnerable children in Ukraine and worldwide.

• UN Refugee Agency

  • The international organization provides emergency assistance to families in Ukraine, including cash assistance and opportunities for resettlement.

• Voices of Children

  • The charitable foundation of this organization is helping to provide psychological and psychosocial support to children affected by the Ukrainian conflict.

• United Help Ukraine

  • They are focused on organizing fundraisers to benefit people in Ukraine affected by the war conditions and raising awareness about the war.

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Stop Asian Hate: a Statement on Sinophobia

EB-ACA strongly condemns violence and hate crimes. Sinophobia has been steadily on the rise as the COVID-19 pandemic has moved across the globe. Hate crimes and Sinophobia is not new but is a deep historical trauma, and as counselor and practitioners, we are responsible for speaking out against discrimination and violence. We unit with ACA and agree we "must be willing to challenge oppressive systems, but also confront one’s own biases, stereotypes, and racial worldview". ACA Statement.

 

We stand in solidarity with Asian communities across the world and commit ourselves to deeper engagement that unites members of our community across racial, ethnic, cultural, and language groups and promotes solidarity, accountability, and healing. We encourage our members and counselors to explore resources for exposing oppression, moving in solidarity, and promoting liberation: 

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Resources:​

• Stop AAPI Hate: The center tracks, shares, and responds to incidents of AAPI hate and violence in the U.S.  3,800+ Incidents in the last year. Visibility matters!! 

• Immigrant History Initiative provides free lesson plans and posts weekly with lessons on Asian American history. 

• Asian American Racial Justice Toolkit is an online toolkit for organizers and educators to teach social justice among the Asian American community.

• Reviewing Sinophobia: Review media articles and journal articles on Sinophobia.

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Black Lives Matter: A Statement on Racial Trauma

The European Branch of the American Counseling Association (EB-ACA) extends our condolences to the family and friends of George Floyd, and we express our sorrow for the numerous other Black lives that have ended as a result of senseless and violent abuses of power. We stand with the Black community and with our clients, members, students, and colleagues of color in the United States and in Europe. 

 

EB-ACA is an organization that values social justice, human rights, equity, human dignity, respect, and compassion. As such, EB-ACA stands in solidarity with those across the globe who are advocating for racial justice. Furthermore, EB-ACA firmly denounces racist and socially unjust acts toward Black communities and marginalized groups. We endorse the Statement on Racialized Violence and Discrimination put forth by the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, as well as the Statement on Undue Police Violence made by the American Counseling Association.

 

The mission of EB-ACA is to promote the development of a deeper understanding of the counseling profession, oneself, and individuals served, and to promote public confidence and trust in the counseling profession in Europe, the United States, and globally. Our overarching purpose is to support counselors living and working in Europe and the individuals they serve. We are advocates for anti-racism and we are committed to doing more to make EB-ACA an organization that is engaged in social justice work domestically and internationally, and to be active participants in the counseling profession’s efforts to dismantle systemic racism.

 

EB-ACA recognizes and shares in the grief that is being felt around the world. We also recognize and appreciate the thousands of individuals in Europe who have protested in solidarity with protestors in the United States.