“George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Philando Castile, Trayvon Martin — the list is far too long and ever growing.” We acknowledge the pandemic of racism taking the lives of people in the Black and African-American community and the dire psychological and physical consequences resulting from these systemic, long standing injustices.

As the Interim Associate Director for UC Merced Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), I am committed to listening and responding to the mental health needs of our African American and Black student community. CAPS staff is prepared and ready to provide same day mental health support to our scholars impacted by these recent and historically traumatic events. I remain determined to continue building a mental health program that includes partnerships with our students of color, as well as campus stakeholders, to develop initiatives and resources around anti-black violence, radical healing, and wellness.

As Martin Luther King Jr once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenges and controversy.” To our campus community, please know that CAPS Cares for you…We Hear You, We See You, We Support You and We Stand With You.

To speak with a mental health provider, please contact CAPS at (209) 228-4266.

Tania Gonzalez, Ph.D.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Interim Associate Director
Counseling and Psychological Services
University of California, Merced