Basic Needs & Self-Care
It is imperative that during this crisis the basic needs of our heroic workers are being met. This page outlines some of the ongoing efforts to address your basic needs as we fight this pandemic together. We have included resources for nourishment, child and eldercare, transportation, and personal safety. Feel free to continue to check back as the page is updated.
For help or guidance in navigating any of the Well-Being Resources, and identifying the right resource for you, please call the Mount Sinai Center for Stress, Resilience and Personal Growth at 212-659-5564.
Food Provisions
Cafeteria:
The cafeterias and small cafes remain open to anyone with a Mount Sinai ID Badge. See food and cafeteria policy here.
Restaurant and Food Delivery Discounts
For restaurant and food delivery discounts, please visit the Mount Sinai Recreation Office Dining page.
Transportation & Parking
Mount Sinai Recreation Discounts:
http://recreation.mountsinaihealth.org/travel/
Mount Sinai Shuttle Expanded Service:
Please see real time MSH Shuttle info here.
Please see MSBI/MSW Shuttle schedule here.
Please see MSQ & Elmhurst Shuttle schedule here.
Family Resources
Childcare Options:
Imagine Early Learning Center: This daycare center is opening its doors for children ages 3 months to 5 years old. Please visit this page and scroll down until you see Sinai Kids.
Bright Horizons Family Solutions Backup Childcare
Starting in February, Mount Sinai Health System, in partnership with Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC, will be offering backup childcare services to faculty members, non-bargaining unit employees, trainees, and medical and graduate students.
Eligible faculty, staff, trainees, and students will be offered a specific number of days each year, with Mount Sinai covering part of the cost.
Please check back later this month for additional information, and look out for Zoom sessions in February that describe the plan’s provisions and answer any questions.
Additional Childcare Programs
For additional childcare info, please visit: Mount Sinai Recreation Office Child Care Info
Childcare Matching Services:
A number of programs provide (for a fee) childcare matching.
Note: Mount Sinai does not endorse any particular matching service nor does it vet any of the candidates who may be available in these services. It is the responsibility of the person hiring the candidate to vet the candidate. Mount Sinai is not responsible for any outcome of a match obtained by the above services.
Support for Parents, sponsored by Mount Sinai Calm
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Academic support and extracurricular enrichment―Trained volunteers from Goldman Sachs are matched with your children ages 5 to 17 for one-hour per week for:
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Homework and tutoring for school-age children
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Enriching fun activities for younger school-age children
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College application guidance for rising high school seniors
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One-to-one consultation for parents―Consult with a Mount Sinai social worker to discuss the stresses of parenting in the context of COVID-19
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Workshops on distance learning for parents―Understand and deal with the challenges and opportunities of distance learning with a Mount Sinai neuropsychology behavioral specialist from the division of Child Psychiatry.
To learn more about these services for you and your child, call our Calm 4 Loved Ones social worker, Andreina Rodriguez, at 646-476-0298, or email.
Frontline Family Support Program:
For consultation around parenting stress caused by the pandemic (e.g., fears and worries about the family's health, isolation, stress, zoom fatigue, increased family conflict, exacerbation of pre-existing concerns, etc), please contact Cheryl Wolff from the Frontline Family Support Program at (212) 659-8752 (option 1, then option 2), or email cheryl.wolff@mountsinai.org.
Additional Parenting Resources
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Managing Stress and Talking With Children About COVID-19: A Guide for Parents and Families by Rebecca Burger-Caplan, PhD Assistant Professor, in the Department of Psychiatry.
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Resources for having Difficult Conversations with Children about Recent Events and Racism
Eldercare:
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PSS Circle of Care: This agency provides a variety of services for seniors and their caregivers. The hotline will connect caregivers to specialized counselors who will meet on the phone to provide guidance and resources, including respite care, regardless of income level. They will make all efforts to support and prioritize Mount Sinai healthcare workers.
Hotline #: 866-665-1713 | PSS Website
Self Care & Stress Management
Individual Self-Care Consultations by Mount Sinai Calm:
By phone, focus on your well-being in a one-on-one consultation with one of our highly experienced and compassionate licensed social workers. Based on your conversation, you will receive a holistic personal care plan and set of resources that support your overall health. To schedule a self-care consultation, please email 4calm@mountsinai.org.
Virtual Mount Sinai Calm Offerings:
Mount Sinai Calm offers a variety of free services and resources to enhance your personal, emotional and social well-being including mindfulness, yoga, music therapy and more. We encourage faculty, students, and staff to take advantage of the following Mount Sinai Calm virtual offerings.
Yoga Online On-Demand:
Recorded yoga sessions are offered free of charge through New York Yoga on their website.
Sign in with the following credentials:
Email Address: mountsinai@newyorkyoga.com
Password: yogayoga123
Music:
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The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine provides daily music therapy sessions and support Zoom Rooms for Staff, Dial-in Mount Sinai CALM numbers and virtual music meditations for all. Please call for referrals for sessions: 212 420-2704.
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Concerts in Motion is a nonprofit offering private virtual concerts for groups of Mount Sinai Employees. Visit their website to learn more and make a request.
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PATHS to Healing: Trauma-Based Music Therapy Program for Staff
The Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine is offering a special trauma-based music psychotherapy program for staff to help us return and sustain a secure recapitulation to our lives following the crisis. The 30-minute sessions will run for three consecutive days via private Zoom rooms. Learn more here. You can sign up by emailing info@musicandmedicine.org.
Fitness & Nutrition
Mount Sinai Fit:
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Visit our Mount Sinai Fit webpage.
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Reach Your Peak: Exercise Videos and other tips provided by Mount Sinai Experts.
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Reach Your Peak Fitness Camp: Live, Virtual Mount Sinai Fit Classes. Join us on Instagram every Tuesday and Thursday, 7 pm to 7:30 pm for 30-minutes of exercise led by Certified Fitness Trainer, Andrew Randall, MPH.
Instagram Live - @mountsinai_fit – at 7pm
Instagram name: @mountsinai_fit -
Discover Meatless Monday recipes and an array of healthy eating tips that are updated regularly on Instagram at Mount Sinai Fit on Instagram.
Nutrition Counseling, Recipes, and Tips:
Faculty, staff, and students have direct access cookbooks, recipes, and eating plans offered by Mount Sinai Fit. We also offer special care for those living with diabetes. Find the full menu of offerings on the Mount Sinai Wellness website.
During COVID-19, you may find these new resources helpful:
Living with Diabetes:
Managing diabetes and high blood sugar levels always takes thoughtful, coordinated care, and it is especially urgent during stressful times like we are experiencing now. The Diabetes Alliance and the Diabetes Care Program and associated support services ranging from nutrition counseling and connections to related health care providers are available to faculty, staff, and students. Learn more.
For special help during COVID-19, refer to these important resources:
Personal Safety & COVID Testing
PPE:
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Click here for up to date PPE guidelines and information about current PPE in use at Mount Sinai.
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If you have resources or ideas regarding obtaining PPE supplies go here:
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Vendors for purchase of supplies: Supplyoffers@mountsinai.org
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Donate supplies: Donations@mountsinai.org
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Scrubs:
Recommendations:
For Health Care Workers who work in ORs or procedure areas where there is likelihood of being exposed to body fluids – It is recommended to come in wearing street clothes, change into scrubs in the hospital and then change back into street clothes before you leave the hospital.
For HCW who work in nonprocedural areas, you can either treat scrubs like you would your street clothes (you can wear them to and from work) or change into scrubs in the hospital and then change back into street clothes before you leave the hospital.
Employee Testing and COVID Policies:
Info on employee COVID testing can be found below:Employee testing policy
You may email covidquestions@mountsinai.org with additional questions concerning COVID-19 policies and we will post the answers as soon as possible.
Mount Sinai COVID Testing:
For asymptomatic testing, follow this link (scroll down to "asymptomatic employees").
For symptomatic testing, follow this link.
New York City COVID Testing Sites:
All New Yorkers can get a COVID-19 diagnostic test, whether or not they have symptoms or are at increased risk. Tests are fast, simple and free. Please follow this link to seek out testing for your family.
COVID Testing FAQs
For updated answers to Frequently Asked Questions about COVID testing, please visit this link.
MyMountSinai:
MyMountSinai® is our new online app—replacing Mount Sinai Now—for video urgent care as of Tuesday, February 14. For Telehealth Appointments, please download our new app.
Download Now.