Mental Health

All counseling sessions are being offered online via HIPAA-compliant Zoom meetings during the fall 2020 semester. We offer short-term flexible counseling and supportive services, provided by our counselors. You can schedule your first session by emailing shs@newschool.edu or through the Student Health Services Portal. During your initial Brief Assessment appointment, you and a counselor will make a plan for treatment, based on your current needs. If longer-term or specialized treatment is needed, the counselor can help you to find an appropriate treatment option in your local community.

If you need to speak to someone, please don't hesitate to email shs@newschool.edu or log in to the SHS Portal to schedule an appointment.

Please note: For the fall 2020 semester, you must complete the self-check-in process on the SHS Portal before each counseling session. Please follow the Self-Check-in Instructions to complete this process. 

Before your first session please also review the following documents:

• SHS Notice of Privacy Practices
• Telehealth Consent Form
• SHS Portal Required Form Instructions

Students who are an immediate danger to themselves or others should call 911 in the United States or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. The following hotlines are also available 24/7: 

• NYC WELL: 1.888.692.9355 (or text "WELL" to 65173)
• National Crisis Text Line: Text "Start" to 741.741
• Lifeline National Suicide Hotline: 1.800.273.8255
• National Graduate Student Crisis Line: 1.800.472.3457
• Trans Lifeline: 1.877.565.8860
• Trevor Project: 1.866.488.7386

International students can find crisis resources at the following websites:

• International Crisis Hotlines
• Befrienders Worldwide
• International Crisis Centers

Our psychiatrists are available only to students receiving counseling who are located in New York State. In some cases, exceptions can be made. Psychiatric services offered include psychiatric consultation, evaluation, and medication treatment and management. Students seeking psychiatric services who are not currently in counseling with an SHS counselor or are not located in New York State are given referrals to providers in their local community.

Group is a great way for students to create community, meet other students, reduce isolation, and get support. It’s completely confidential. No judgment—just sharing and connection. Please email shs@newschool.edu or speak to your counselor to find what groups are being offered.

Mindfulness Practice is a 30-minute private counseling session (via HIPAA-compliant Zoom) in which you develop mindfulness techniques to address problems and manage stress and anxiety. Sessions are adapted to your unique needs and experiences and offer an open and safe environment in which to ask questions and address difficulties in your practice. Appointments can be scheduled online through the Student Health Services Portal. Fall semester sessions will be offered beginning September 8, 2020.

Students seeking diagnostic clarification about attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities, difficulties with memory and other cognitive issues, or other common psychiatric conditions that may be affecting your academic performance, such as anxiety and depression, may sign up for testing.

Email the program manager, Donna, at safrancenter@newschool.edu. Donna will respond with information about the service and schedule a phone screening. The fee for testing services is $100, paid in two installments.

For students who are having trouble with or wondering about their alcohol and/or other substance use, BASICS may be a helpful resource. BASICS (Brief Alcohol and Screening Intervention for College Students) is a two-session intervention offered through the Department of Psychology and New School Counseling Services.
 
While substance use is common among college students, many students lack personalized and helpful information about reducing the risks associated with alcohol and other substance use.
   
By offering a non-judgmental space for students to explore their alcohol and other substance use and to cultivate awareness of their substance use patterns, BASICS helps students develop ways of reducing the risk of using alcohol and other substances and enhances student well-being.
 
BASICS is available to all New School students who may wish to consider their drinking and/or substance use habits and potentially make changes. Reach out to BASICS@newschool.edu.

Email us at shs@newschool.edu for help with finding mental health services and other specialized services in your community.