Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
During this time of heightened emotions, it is normal to need support. We encourage you to seek mental health evaluation and/or treatment or check in with yourself, and connect with others via a wide array of group discussions, individual support, and extensive spiritual care offerings. Remember: We are in this together.
For more general information regarding your mental health during this time, please see this Mental Health Guide, created by Craig Katz, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Mount Sinai’s Program in Global Mental Health.
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.
Crisis Support
If you or someone you know is currently in acute psychological or emotional distress and needs support immediately, you may benefit from calling for crisis support.
Internal Mount Sinai Crisis Support
For Employees and Trainees:
Call below to connect with 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Response Teams, staffed by mental health professionals from Department of Psychiatry and Department Social Work. Leaders can also call the Crisis Support Line for urgent group crisis support sessions.
MS Brooklyn: 929-305-0180
MS Hospital: 929-305-0182
MS Morningside: 929-305-0184
MS Queens: 929-305-0183
MS West: 929-305-0185
MS South Nassau: 516-390-2885
MS Downtown: 929-305-0181
New York Eye and Ear: 929-305-0181
For Students and Trainees:
For after-hours support or crisis help, please call this 24/7 hotline dedicated specifically to Mount Sinai Students and Trainees staffed by trained crisis counselors
Call 212-241-2400 (or 1-866-339-7725).
The Mount Sinai Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Program (SAVI)
SAVI is a free and confidential Manhattan- and Queens-based program that provides trauma-informed, survivor centered therapy and advocacy for all those healing from sexual or intimate partner violence, as well as their loved ones. Please call 212-423-2140, email savi@mssm.edu or visit their website.
External Crisis Support
NYC Well:
NYC Well is your connection to free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365.
Text: Text "WELL" to 65173 (message & data rates may apply when using the SMS service)
Call: 1-888-NYC-WELL or visit their website.
National Suicide Prevention Line:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support 24/7 to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Call 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or visit their website.
One-on-One Support
For Employees
Psychiatry Services (medication management and/or psychotherapy)
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Mount Sinai Department of Psychiatry Faculty Practice (UMR Top-Tier Insurance only)
Psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, and social workers provide confidential psychiatric evaluation and ongoing treatment including medication management and/or psychotherapy. Services are available by telepsychiatry during the COVID epidemic. Please call or email for a scheduling. 212-659-8752 | PsychiatryFPA@mssm.edu.
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Mount Sinai Behavioral Health Outpatient Telepsychiatry (All Insurances)
Providers offer telepsychiatry and telephonic visits for employees during the COVID crisis. Employees seeking psychiatric evaluation, psychotherapy, and/or medication management for depression, anxiety, trauma, and complex psychiatric illnesses through our virtual platform are encouraged to contact any of the following numbers, no matter your usual hospital site:MS Downtown: (212) 420-2400 (Adults, Geriatric, Children, Adolescents)
MS Hospital: (212) 241-5947 (Adults) (212) 241-7175 (Children and Adolescents)
MS Morningside and West: (212) 523-8080 (Adults) (212) 523-3082 (Children and Adolescents)
Brief Counseling
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MSHS Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides free, confidential short-term counseling by licensed social workers to Mount Sinai employees and your covered dependents.Contact: 212-241-8937
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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.
For Students and Trainees
Psychiatry Services (medication management and/or psychotherapy)
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Student and Trainee Mental Health Service (All students and trainees)
STMH provides confidential mental health evaluations, crisis interventions, psychotherapy and medication management for Mount Sinai students and trainees, regardless of insurance plan. STMH has transitioned primarily to telehealth services utilizing confidential platforms. On site appointments will be made available if clinically indicated. To schedule an appointment (initial or follow-up), please email STMH@mssm.edu or call 212-659-8805 between 9 AM and 5 PM Monday-Friday.
Telephonic Counseling and Mental Health Resources
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Vibrant 24/7 Hotline: For after-hours support, please call this 24/7 hotline dedicated specifically for Mount Sinai Students and Trainees. 212-241-2400 (or 1-866-339-7725).
Facilitated Group Discussions
All Employees, Trainees and Students
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Team-Based Virtual Group Discussions:
Group discussions personalized for your particular team or unit allow participants to connect with colleagues sharing similarly difficult experiences, receive mutual support, and discuss and practice coping strategies. Groups are facilitated by experienced clinicians via Zoom. To schedule a group discussion for your team, please contact Jocelyn Childs and Chi Chan with information about the team and the best day/time for the group.
Students and Trainees
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Student and Trainee Mental Health (STMH) Group Psychotherapy:
STMH is offering two weekly psychotherapy groups for Students and Trainees that will run for 10 weeks. The groups will provide support and tools for coping with the stresses created by the COVID-19 pandemic, by allowing participants to share and process feelings and experiences related to this crisis, and practice effective tools for coping.
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- Schedule: starting week of 4/13
Group 1: Mondays at 6PM
Group 2: Thursdays at 12PM
- Schedule: starting week of 4/13
For more information or to join a group, please email STMH@mssm.edu.
Spiritual Care & Peer Support
The Center for Spirituality and Health:
Chaplains provide spiritual, religious, and emotional support to people of all belief systems. They can support you in identifying and living into your values; creating rituals to honor milestones; sharing prayers or blessings; supporting you in exploring your feelings and emotions; offering guidance for spiritual questions, and supporting your religious needs. Please see our calendar of spiritual care offerings.
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Individual 1:1 sessions with a Chaplain, available by request
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Virtual Spiritual Care “Open” Office Hours
A Chaplain will be available to provide a compassionate and caring listening presence. -
Spiritual Care Support Line: Contact 24/7: 212-241-5438
Spiritual Care Virtual Support Groups: Click Here for Calendar and Zoom Info
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Spiritual Practices Group
A safe drop in space for spiritual and non-religious persons to explore and practice relaxation and stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation, breathing, guided visualization, intention setting, and prayer. -
Spiritual Care Support Group
Opportunity to discuss the emotional and/or spiritual responses one has in this very challenging health care environment, including themes of meaning, purpose, connectedness, isolation, and hope. -
Spiritual Care Grief Group
Chaplains help staff members discuss responses to grief and suffering and process feelings. Participants have the opportunity to explore inner conflicts or questions about beliefs, faith, or spirituality. -
Virtual Chi-Time
A safe and quiet environment to just "be." Participants will be offered guided meditations, breathing exercises, and centering reflections.
To request spiritual care support and/or time with a Chaplain, please call the Center for Spirituality and Health or email or visit our website.
MS Hospital: 212-241-7262
MS Downtown: 212-420-2759
MS Queens: 646-877-9616
MS Morningside: 212-523-2016
MS West: 212-523-6920
Peer Support
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ICARE:
For one-on-one peer support to health care workers who have experienced a particularly stressful work-related clinical incident. You can call and leave a message 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 212-241-8989. We will return your call.MS Brooklyn: 718-951-9427
MS Downtown: 212-420-4343
MS Hospital: 212-241-8989
MS Morningside: 212-523-7825
MS Queens: 718-808-7779
MS West: 212-523-2158
New York Eye and Ear: 212-979-4357
Well-Being Tips and Coping Strategies
A Message of Well-being and Solidarity - 6/4/20
Common Misconceptions about getting mental health care - 5/1/20
The Experience of Grief - 4/15/20
Confronting Uncertainty - 4/10/20
Coping with Anxiety - 3/20/20
Managing General Heightened Emotions - 3/10/20
Additional Resources
Internal Resources
Psychology and Cognitive Rehabilitation
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Mount Sinai Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance Rehabilitation Neuropsychology Faculty Practice:
The Department’s Psychologists, Neuropsychologists and Psychologists specialize in cognitive rehabilitation, psychotherapy and trauma processing for individuals with brain injury and other neurocognitive disorders. We also welcome Mount Sinai Health System employees who are seeking psychotherapy and/or skills training for the management of anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbance. Services are available by video visit during the COVID epidemic and UMR is accepted. Please call or email for more information: 212-241-4706 | Annell.Ovalles@mountsinai.org
Click Here Self Care and Stress Management
External Resources
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New York State Office of Mental Health Emotional Support Line:
New Yorkers can call the free COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline for confidential mental health counseling and support. The Help Line is staffed by volunteer mental health professionals, who have received training in crisis counseling, and who can help callers experiencing increased anxiety at this time. 1-844-863-9314 | Website
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NYC Well:
NYC Well is your connection to free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365.Text: Text "WELL" to 65173 (message & data rates may apply when using the SMS service)
Call: 1-888-NYC-WELL or visit their website.
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Octave: Mental Health Providers now Accepting UMR Insurance
Octave is a modern behavioral health practice with over 15 psychologists and counselors who specialize in a wide range of topics including anxiety, trauma, depression and couples therapy. Learn more & Schedule a free consultation.
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Integrative Trauma Program at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies
This program offers three free therapy sessions to any healthcare worker who would like some support with resourcing, coping or processing disturbing images. Our clinicians are all licensed LCSW or PHD trained to provide EMDR and crisis intervention.Please text Dr. Megan Eliot at 646-801-7073 and you will be matched with a therapist who can provide Tele Medicine sessions.
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Workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 for support.
NYS launching a new emotional support texting program for frontline workers.The state is partnering with the Kate Spade New York Foundation and Crisis Text Line to provide a 24/7 emotional support service for frontline health care workers.
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Covid Coach App:
You can download the app from the "app store" on any phone. This app was designed by the Department of Veterans affairs and offers resources, emotional support, tips for self-care and stress management tools for anyone during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
This App should not replace treatment by a professional.
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Additional External Mental Health Resources and Tools:
Find information on additional external mental health resources that are available to support you during this time. These resources have been vetted and we encourage you to use them as needed.