Covid-19 Health & Wellness Initiatives

In light of the nascent COVID-19 outbreak, the PDA board is in the process of consolidating resources and activities to help us all get by. While we don’t know when the lockdown will be lifted, we do know that our community needs to support one another while we are all subject to isolation and social distancing rules.

We have been discussing the prospect of holding online “hangout” events so that we can be social and feel more connected with one another until social distancing restrictions are lifted. While you will likely see more announcements regarding these online events in the near future, we are looking to identify demand for online events, how many of us have been deemed “essential” and are continuing to work, and how everyone is coping in general.

If you have time, it would be wonderful if you could complete a short questionnaire to help us identify what our community may benefit from and how we should respond to best support our postdoctoral community: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1TiVSzYA7_lrjoqkadD7PN5RHFhjKgvyt-pfRixhovf0/edit?ts=5e7b8313

Until you hear from us next, it is also important to know that there are mental health services to support you during your tenure at WCMC; including during this lockdown. 

The information will soon appear on the WCMC PDA website but given circumstances we are also circulating this info now to ensure our community remains safe and supported. 

Additionally, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is hosting a “How to stay mentally healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic” workshop this coming Tuesday, March 31. This workshop will be held online. It is hosted by the foundation president, and CEO, Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein. REGISTER NOW!

COVID-19 State Mental Health Hotline

As of today, Gov. Cuomo announced that over 6,000 mental health professionals have volunteered their time to create a free hotline for any New Yorker in need of someone to talk to. You can utilize this service by calling 1-844-863-9314.

Finding a Mental Health Practitioner at Weill Cornell Medical College

If you hold an active insurance plan, either independently or via employee benefits with Weill Cornell Medical College, you may be eligible to avail of psychiatry services. To assist you in finding a physician, you can utilize Weill Cornell’s “Find a Physician” service to locate a clinician by specialty, appointment availability, as well as by your insurance network coverage.

To access the “Find a Physician” tool, visit:

https://weillcornell.org/find-a-physician

If not an emergency, a Weill Cornell primary care practitioner may be able to further assist you with specific recommendations and referrals.

Finding an Out-Patient Specialty Clinic at Weill Cornell Medical College 

The Weill Cornell Psychiatry Specialty Center offers a broad range of psychiatry services. This includes not just psychiatry services, but also psychotherapy. The specialty center treatment center specializes in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression and bipolar disorder, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders among many other conditions and disorders. This clinic is located on the Upper East Side. 

For more information about the Weill Cornell Psychiatry Specialty Center, visit:

https://weillcornell.org/services/psychiatry/weill-cornell-psychiatry-specialty-center

Depending on availability, referral, and case, you may also be eligible for short-term treatment and/or case management by Weill Cornell Psychiatry Collaborative Care Center. This clinic is also conveniently located on the Upper East Side.

To find out more, visit:

https://weillcornell.org/caapsych_w

Lastly, the Weill Cornell Midtown Center is a comprehensive non-profit outpatient program that assists with the evaluation and treatment of chemical dependence, as well as their significant others. The Midtown Center also offers programs for combat veterans suffering with PTSD. 

For more information, and to view specific services on offer, please visit:

https://medicine.weill.cornell.edu/divisions-programs/public-health-programs/midtown-center-treatment-and-research

Locating an In-Patient Mental Health Clinic

Weill Cornell Medical College is partnered with the New York Presbyterian-Westchester Division and/or Behavioral Health Center. This is a full-service mental health facility that is consistently ranked as a top mental health facility in the USA. The hospital is located in serene surroundings in the former Bloomingdale Mansion located in White Plains. Currently, the Westchester Division boasts 270 beds and provides both inpatient and specialty outpatient programs to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Many wards represent best-in-class specialty programs. If necessary, you may present at the New York Presbyterian Emergency Room, which contains an emergency psychiatry ward, for evaluation and transfer to the Westchester Division if clinically necessary.

For more information, visit:

https://www.nyp.org/locations/newyork-presbyterian-westchester-division

What do I do in the event of an Emergency? 

In a Mental Health Emergency, you should activate an EMS response by calling 911. The New York Presbyterian Emergency Room has an Psychiatry Emergency ward which handles evaluation for acute care and in-patient admission. Therefore, a walk-in to the Emergency Room located on East 68th Street is also a possible mode for immediate psychiatry evaluation.

If you are in, or around, the WCMC campus or NYP/WC hospital, you may also call 212-472-2222. You can also notify the NYP Psychiatry Emergency Department at 212-746-0711. 

Post-docs are suggested to contact the Employee Assistance Program 212-746-5890, and/or notify Associate Dean Dr. Randi Silver at 212-746-5006 (daytime) or 917-698-3028 (evening/weekend). 

For more information, please refer to: 

https://emergency.weill.cornell.edu/mental-health

Non-Cornell Mental Health Resources

There are a number of mental health services available by telephone, text, or online chat. While not comprehensive, these are some widely known services. 

    Lifeline Suicide Prevention

Þ   National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, available 24/7: 1-800-273-8255

Þ   Text message, available 24/7: HELLO to 741741

Þ   Chat online: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/

NYC Sexual Violence Helpline 

Þ   1-800-621-HOPE (4673)

      New York State Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline 

Þ   1-800-942-6906  

      National Drug Helpline

Þ   1-844-289-0879

Remember, in an emergency never hesitate and always call 911 to elicit EMS support.

Office of Postdoctoral Affairs 1300 York Ave, Suite A-139 New York, NY 10065 Phone: