Mental health cannot be separated from academic or career readiness, and yet there has long been a shortage of counselors at both the K-12 and college levels. Schools and colleges must take a holistic approach to mental health, offering both proactive programming as well as targeted support to meet students’ needs. Students need access to a diverse pool of trauma-informed culturally and racially competent counselors, increased access to teletherapy and simplified processes for accessing therapy.

We must ensure all students, families and staff get the mental health support they need to engage in learning and that they have access to a diverse pool of trauma-informed culturally and racially competent counselors.

Student-Ready Schools and Campuses:

• have a holistic approach to mental wellness. This includes a systemwide plan for supporting staff and students' mental health with a clear understanding of how COVID-19 has impacted them

• provide proactive and safe opportunities for group therapy (restorative justice), healing circles, caring circles, affinity groups.

• provide mental health workshops accessible to all students and families

• provide mental health services in multiple languages

• provide increased capacity for counseling via teletherapy

• actively ensure that students connect with a designated counselor that student is comfortable with

• diversify the staff to reflect the student population

• provide professional development to staff and faculty for a holistic approach to mental wellness, culturally and racially responsive counseling and trauma-informed practice

• provide virtual mental health workshops beyond COVID-19

• simplify the appointment-making process (example: using an app)

• continue to offer counseling services after a semester or year ends, and include service extension through gap year (s)

• partner with mental health apps (such as Calm) and offer those services to students for free

• invest in increased communication methods with students on accessing mental health resources on campus

State

The State of New York must

• Mandate and fund every school to have school support staff -school counselors, social workers, school phycologists, school nurses, at nationally recommended ratios.

• Support the reduction of counselor to student ratios in colleges

  • There is currently a bill, S7317 by Gounardes to close the ratio of counselors from 1 to 2300 to 1 to 1000 which is the recommended number.

COMING SOON

CUNY Mental Health Services Central location for CUNY Mental Health Services with links to campus counseling centers

CUNY Crisis Text Line: Text CUNY to 741741 for a trained Crisis Counselor.

10 Minute Mind – 10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation Course exclusively for the CUNY community

The School Mental Health Resource and Training Center

MHANYS’ Mental Health Information Center (MHIC) If you need further assistance please call MHANYS at 1-800-766-6177 [outside NYS: Call (518) 434-0439], ask for the Mental Health Information Center, or email infocenter@mhanys.org.

Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center 212 423-3000

National Suicide Hotline 800-273-8255

NY Project HOPE helps New Yorkers understand their reaction and emotions during COVID-19. Find out more here.

NYC Well is the city's program that offers free and confidential care. You can speak to an advisor by phone, text or chat in over 200 languages, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Text "WELL" to 65173, call 1-888-NYC-WELL (692-9355), or chat online.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene – New York City Department responsible for all aspects of health and wellness for the City

Mental Health First Aid – Eight-hour course provided free by NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for helping New Yorkers in mental health crisis

New York City Health Insurance Link – Health Insurance Marketplace and Information for New York City

New York City Health and Hospitals – New York City hospital and health network

HITE Site – Free and Low Cost health and social services for all New Yorkers

Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center

NY Project HOPE

The School Mental Health Resource and Training Center