Mental Health

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

Students studying outside of the U.S. can find crisis resources on the following websites:

• International Crisis Hotlines
• Befrienders Worldwide
• International Crisis Centers

Counseling sessions are being offered online via HIPAA-compliant Zoom meetings during the fall 2021 semester. To schedule your first session, visit the Student Health Services Portal. We offer short-term flexible counseling and supportive services, provided by our counselors. During your first appointment (also called a brief assessment), 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. For general questions about counseling, email shs@newschool.edu.

Please note: For the fall 2021 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

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.

Virtual Groups for Fall 2021 (all groups are one hour; times are in EST):

Log in to NarwhalNation for current group descriptions and to RSVP. Please email shs@newschool.edu any questions. 

Individual mindfulness sessions are 30 minutes a student can attend up to five sessions. Mindfulness is a technique that helps students develop the capacity to manage anxiety and other challenging experiences more effectively. During mindfulness sessions, students will have an opportunity to speak with a counselor and learn techniques to enhance emotion regulation and comfort.

Problem Management Plus (PM+) is a five-session skills training program developed by the World Health Organization that helps individuals address both practical and emotional problems by teaching strategies to:

• manage stress
• manage problems
• build motivation
• strengthen social connection and support

Ear seed/bead acupressure is an auriculotherapy treatment based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This treatment involves attaching flower seeds or magnetic beads to specific locations on the outer ear using medical-grade adhesive tape. Ear seed/bead acupressure is commonly used to relieve stress and trauma (e.g., by the Medical Reserve Corps). It is also known to promote comfort and relaxation. Ear seed/bead packets with easy-to-follow instructions are available to students via mail or in-person pickup at Student Health Services. For more information, please reach out to EarAcupressure@newschool.edu.

Students seeking diagnostic clarification about attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities, difficulties with memory and other cognitive issues, or other common psychological 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.

• SilverCloud App: SilverCloud provides free access to a broad library of online programs designed to promote and support positive behavioral change and overall mental wellness. Each program consists of several modules aimed at reducing and alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. To access SilverCloud, select “The New School” on the sign-up page.

• BetterHelp: BetterHelp offers 24-7 online support from licensed counselors, who are available through ongoing text communications, live chat, phone, video, and groupinars. This service is free to New School students who are enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan.

• Healthiest You Virtual Counseling: If you are enrolled in the New School Student Health Insurance Plan (UHCSR), you have free access to board-certified psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and counselors through the HealthiestYou app.

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