(This page was originally titled Coping with Covid.)
If you or someone you know need immediate help, call University Police at 585-245-5222, or call 911 or 211. For other immediate assistance, text "GOT5" to 741-741 for Crisis Text Line (or call 1-800-273-TALK) or use the NY State Office of Mental Health COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline 1-844-863-9314 (8 am-10 pm, 7 days/week).
Visit our Counseling Services Quick Resource List for additional 24/7 hotlines, campus resources, and referral information.
- Counseling Services Resources
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- Mental health services are currently being provided via teletherapy. Schedule an initial counseling appointment on the student health portal at myhealth.geneseo.edu.
- RIO Virtual
RIO is our 3-session skills-based group focused on learning how to manage painful emotions. You can be referred to participate in RIO at your own pace after an initial triage appointment. Schedule an initial appointment at myhealth.geneseo.edu if you are interested in RIO Virtual. - Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation Practices
Our own psychologist/yoga teacher Dr. Beth Cholette offers a variety of free mind-body practices on her YouTube channel, YogiBethC. She has a second channel, Breathing Breaks, with short (2-3 min) breathing and movement videos--designed for kids but great for adults, too. Also take a look at the Geneseo-exclusive video Feel Your Feet - this was created specifically for Geneseo student athletes but is available to anyone with the link - Self-Help and Self-Care
This page provides access to our free online mental health screening program as well as tips on other self-care strategies, including free apps, journaling, and more. - Free Health & Wellness Apps
This is a vetted list of apps addressing various health, mental health, and wellness issues. Also check out Quarantine Buddy, an app to get matched up with someone else looking for a virtual companion (developed by Cornell students). - Coping with Crises and Tragic Events
We created this short article to provide information about common reactions to crises and to offer general coping recommendations.
- Other SUNY Geneseo Mental Health Resources
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- From Athletics:
Mental Health & Coping Strategies with Coach Kathryn Rowe - From the Office of Accessibility Services:
Geneseo Accessibility Advocates
accessibilityadvocates@geneseo.edu
students familiar with the office who serve as an additional resource for their peers with disabilities - Geneseo Pathways
585-237-8860
peer advocacy support provided by trained student volunteers; available 8 pm-8 am, Sundays-Thursdays when classes are in session
- From Athletics:
- Finding a Therapist Outside of Geneseo
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Do you need assistance with finding a therapist back home (or elsewhere)? Go to our Off-Campus Referral Resources and scroll down to "Finding a Therapist Outside of Geneseo." You may also wish to utilize Thriving Campus, an online referral service provided for free from New York State.
Note that Open Path Collective offers affordable in-person and online psychotherapy options in your area based on zip code. LowCostHelp.com is a national directory of affordable and sliding scale counseling services (note that there are no services in Livingston County, but other areas of NY state are available). If you are not in the United States, try the International Therapists Directory.
Various online mental health services are available as well. (Two of the most popular are talkspace.com and betterhelp.com; there are many others.) Your health insurance provider can guide you in the process of connecting with covered services. This Low Fee Clinic in Rochester is also offering virtual, low cost services.
Need more help? Take a look at the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), a college student specific intervention that includes multiple extended-length individual sessions per week plus a daily 90-minute CBT/DBT skills group. This is an all-virtual program that is available throughout New York state (also NJ, CT, MA). Use their intake form or request more information from info@centerforanxiety.org.
- COVID-Specific Mental Health Resources, Quarantine Coping
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Being isolated or quarantined can be extremely stressful, especially when access to usual coping strategies is restricted. Same day counseling appointments are available via calling 585-245-5716 These online resources may also be useful.
- Quarantine Buddy
Developed by Cornell students, connects people with each other for support. - Quarantine Chat
Connect by phone with someone else who is stuck in isolation. - SuperBetter
SuperBetter is a tool created by game designers and backed by science; it's designed to build personal resilience:
Here are some additional ideas for taking care of yourself when you are staying home, in quarantine, or in isolation (using the acronym AT HOME):
- Ask for Help
Connect with and reach out to supportive others through text, calls, chats, or whatever other format works for you. Inform others that you are struggling and allow them to be there for you. Seek out other help resources (above) if your support system is limited. - Take Care
Take time for self-care. This includes the basics--getting enough sleep (but not too much), nourishing yourself with food, hydrating with water, showering/taking care of your body--and may also include special things you do for yourself, such as meditating. - Have a Routine
Routines tend to be comforting, especially for new, different, or otherwise uncomfortable situations; you can establish familiar patterns within the unfamiliar situation. Create a daily schedule that incorporates your self-care (above) and includes a balance of more active work versus play/quiet time. - Obtain Outdoor Time (if permitted)
Even just a few minutes outside each day can be extremely healing (see Wellness in Nature). When you are unable to be outside, expose yourself to natural sunlight via windows and make sure your indoor space is brightly lit during the daytime. - Move Your Body
Find some way to be active. Try virtual yoga with Dr. Beth, sign up for a Zoom fitness class, do jumping jacks, practice standing on one foot, try juggling, or turn on music and dance! - Explore Your Creativity
Express yourself via whatever type of creative pursuit works for you. Some examples include starting a bullet journal, developing a blog, coloring or drawing, writing or playing music, taking photographs, and trying something new to you.
- Quarantine Buddy
- COVID-Specific Mental Health Resources, General Coping
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All of the resources below have COVID-specific pages as well as link to various additional options.
New York State offers NY Project Hope, a comprehensive website providing tips, activities, referrals, and more. There are sections for Connect (crisis and other resources), Talk (crisis text lines), Cope (managing emotions, dealing with grief, reducing stress), and Relax (games, breathing, meditation).
Additional resources from New York State:
- Meditation and Mindfulness Practices
offered through Headspace and free for New Yorkers - NY State Office of Mental Health COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline
1-844-863-9314 (8 am-10 pm, 7 days/week) - Coping Circles
6-week support groups open to the public - Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training
QPR teaches how to recognize signs of emotional distress or signs that someone is struggling with thoughts of suicide. Members of the Geneseo community can register for QPR by entering “SUNY” as the organizational code. - Thriving Campus
This is an online referral service that allows you to search for mental health providers in your area.
From the CDC, Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/vaccine-benefits/facts.html
Manage your anxiety about the uncertainties of the pandemic by staying educated and informed.Seize the Awkward, Mental Health During Coronavirus
https://seizetheawkward.org/coronavirusThe JED Foundation, JED's COVID-19 Resource Guide
https://www.jedfoundation.org/jeds-covid-19-resource-guide/Active Minds, Mental Health Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic
https://www.activeminds.org/about-mental-health/be-there/coronavirus/The Steve Fund, Mental Health Providers Supporting Clients of Color
https://www.stevefund.org/From Monmouth University in NJ, Grieving Loss for Athletes
https://www.monmouth.edu/counseling/documents/grieving-loss-for-athletics.pdf/From Guilford Press, The Mindful Way through Coronavirus Stress: 3 Tips (8m video)
https://vimeo.com/423366837McLean Hospital College Mental Health Program, COVID-19 Mental Health Resources
https://home.mcleanhospital.org/covid-19-resources - Meditation and Mindfulness Practices
- BIPOC-Specific Mental Health Resources
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The resources below are specific to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Information from this list was compiled in part from the pages Mental Health Resources for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) by Massachusetts General Hospital and the National Institute of Mental Illness (NAMI) page for BIPOC Mental Health Resources. For additional general information, visit the Geneseo Office of Multicultural Programs and Services Resources. (Those striving to be allies may wish to review the Get Educated Resources provided by the Geneseo Student Association.)
BIPOC Mental Health Provider Directories and Treatment Resources
- Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American (APISAA)
Offers a Therapist Directory and provides a community for Asian mental health support. - Black Mental Health Alliance
An expansive database of culturally-competent and patient-centered licensed mental health professionals that provides confidential referrals for those seeking mental health services. - Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation Resource Directory
A nonprofit founded by Taraji P. Henson and working to change the perception of mental illness in the Black community. In addition to a virtual directory of mental health providers, the site offers free support groups to young adults and youths. - Inclusive Therapists
A directory that connects individuals to therapists who reaffirm that “all identities in all bodies deserve equal access to quality, culturally responsive care.”; includes list of therapists offering reduced-fee teletherapy. - Indian Health Services–Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence
Provides, promotes, and supports delivery of telebehavioral health services to American Indians/Alaska Native people. - Innopsych
A list of therapists are dedicated to eradicating the negative stigma around therapy and to opening doors for people of color to get the support they need to cope with life’s challenges - Latinx Therapy
The Find a Therapist listing helps connect users with mental health providers in the Latinx community. - LGBTQ Psychotherapists of Color (QTOC)
A database listing LGBTQ therapists of color. - Melanin & Mental Health
Connects individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black and Latinx/Hispanic communities. - National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
Offers a QTPOC Mental Health Practitioner Directory, a mental health fund for supporting QTPOC individuals, and a document Guidelines for QTPOC Mental Health Practitioners. - Psychology Today
Has options to search for therapists who are African-American, Hispanic and Latino, Asian, and Native American - QTPOC Mental Health
From the National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network, a directory of intersectional mental health resources for queer and trans people of color. Includes the IG page Rest for Resistance, featuring affirmational posts to keep QTPOC individuals encouraged during life and the coronavirus pandemic - Talkspace Support Group
A free, private Facebook support group moderated by licensed clinicians and designed to help those coping with racial trauma. - Therapy for Black Girls Directory
Virtual directory of culturally competent therapy providers for Black women and girls, searchable by location (see information on The Loveland Foundation below for financial assistance). - Therapy for Black Men Directory
Virtual directory of clinicians providing therapy for Black men. - Therapy for Latinx
National database that connects people with licensed therapists and provides resources.
Additional BIPOC Mental Health Resources
- The Asian Mental Health Project
Founded by Carrie Zhang, this organization exists to prevent Asian individuals from the fear and guilt that are often associated with mental illness; the project offers a safe space for Asian individuals to engage in mental health commentary that centers the needs of the Asian community. - Balanced Black Girl
This podcast also provides a Community Healing Guide that is full of mental health and self-care resources. - Black Emotional And Mental Health (BEAM) Collective
A national training, movement building and grant making organization dedicated to the healing, wellness and liberation of Black and marginalized communities; includes a Tool Kits & Resources section. - BlackLine
1-800-604-5841
A space for peer support and counseling, reporting of mistreatment, and affirming the lived experiences to folxs who are most impacted by systematic oppression. - Black Mental Health Alliance
Various resources, such as a Connect with a Therapist database and this list of 12 Books on Behavioral Health Written by Black People. - Brown Girl Therapy
A place for those who hail from immigrant backgrounds (especially South Asians, first-gens, hyphenates, and women of color) to learn more about therapy and identity exploration; founded by writer and editor Sahaj Kohli. - Henry Health
An app that focuses on providing culturally sensitive teletherapy services. - Liberate
A meditation app created by BIPOC folks for BIPOC community. - The Loveland Foundation
The goal of this organization is to ensure that Black women and girls have access to a comprehensive list of mental health professionals that provide high quality, culturally competent services. - The Nap Ministry
This organization examines the liberating power of naps and believes that rest and napping are necessary to counteract the lack of rest experienced by BIPOC individuals, which adversely impacts their physical and mental health. - National Alliance on Mental Illness
This organization offers a specific page for Black/African American individuals that includes information on statistics, barriers to health care, and resources. - The National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC
Works with organizations and treatment practitioners to provide mental health services to American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, families, and tribal and urban Native communities to strengthen their capacity to deliver quality care. - Ourselves Black
Provides Black people with information about mental health promotion and positive coping as well as resources related to mental illness and treatment. - POC Online Classroom, Self-Care
A selection of readings on the importance of self care, mental health care, and healing for people of color and within activist movements. - Racial Trauma Guide:
A virtual guide on coping with racial stressors and being an ally, developed by the Racism Pandemic Task Force and the EMPOWER Lab (Engaging Minorities in Prevention Outreach Wellness Education & Research) at the University of Georgia. - Red Nacional de Prevención de Suicidio
888-628-9454
24-hour suicide hotline - Sista Afya
Organization that provides mental wellness education, resource connection and community support for Black women. - South Asian Mental Health Initiative & Network (SAMHIN)
SAMHIN was established to address the full range of mental health needs for South Asian community members who are living in the United States (includes a limited Provider Directory). - The Safe Place
A free app offering mental health resources for the Black community, - The Steve Fund
An organization dedicated to the mental health and emotional well-being of students of color. - Stronghearts Native Helpline
1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483)
A safe, anonymous, and confidential domestic, dating, and sexual violence helpline for American Indians and Alaska Natives, offering culturally-appropriate support and advocacy daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. (after hours, press #1 to connect with the National Domestic Violence Hotline). - Therapy for Black Girls Thrive Tribe
A safe place for Black women to address personal and systemic issues that impact their lives; founded by a clinical psychologist (Joy Harden Bradford, aka Dr. Joy).
- Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American (APISAA)
- LGBTQ-Specific Mental Health Resources
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The resources below are LGBTQ-specific, providing online mental health and other assistance for decreasing isolation/increasing safety during the COVID pandemic. Find additional information and resources on Geneseo's LGBTQ page Resources During Coronavirus Sheltering.
The Trevor Project
Hotline: 1-866-488-7386 (trained counselors available 24/7)
Or, text START to 678-678
This is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and 24/7 suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth. The Trevor Project also offers other resources including the LGBT safe space social networking site, TrevorSpace.
National LGBT Help Center
This center offers free and confidential peer support and local resource database.Anti-Violence Project
Hotline: (212) 714-1141.
Located in NYC, this agency fights violence against LGBT people in all its forms. Check out this article on "Tips for When Staying Home Isn't The Safest Plan."Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project
Hotline: 1-800-832-1901
This agency provides crisis intervention, support, and resources for gay male survivors of domestic violence.Pride Counseling
This LGBTQ-affirming online counseling network provides the opportunity to sign up and be matched with a LGBTQ-affirming mental health provider for low-cost sessions.Trans Lifeline
Hotline: 1-877-565-8860
This is a peer-support crisis line staffed by transgender people for transgender people.Note that many communities also have LGBTQ centers; these serve as a hub of information and support for the LGBTQ community in that local area. You can use this directory to find your local LGBTQ Center and to search for local support groups and other referrals:
www.lgbtcenters.org/LGBTcenters.If you are in the Rochester area:
- The Mocha Center (connecting LGBTQ people of color with local resources)
While not LGBTQ-specific, these additional resources also serve LGBTQ people and are useful to know:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233, Text LOVEIS to 22522 (the youth-oriented loveisrespect.org also links to this page
- National Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-4673
General Wellness Information and Activities
- Online and Virtual Activities
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- Volunteer to help others (some in person, some virtual)
- Take a free course on "The Science of Well-Being"
- Listen to a random forest from around the world
- Look at beautiful photographs from the College's photographer, Keith Walters
- Browse the College's Photo Gallery
- Participate in a reading challenge
- Start a gratitude journal
- Write a novel with NaNoWriMo
- Write a song in 6 simple steps
- Make word clouds
- Take a knitting class
- Take painting lessons
- Learn photography
- Assemble a jigsaw puzzle
- Figure out how to solve a Rubik's cube
- Build tangrams
- Play with a digital spirograph
- Color a mandala
- Listen to ocean waves
- Take a guided tour of national parks:
Acadia National Park
Arches National Park
Badlands National Park
Death Valley National Park
Everglades National Park
Glacier National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Joshua Tree National Park - Browse a virtual museum or zoo
American Museum of Natural History
Art Institute of Chicago
Atlanta Zoo Panda Cam
The Louvre
Metropolitan Museum of Art
MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
National Aquarium (Baltimore)
New England Aquarium
San Diego Zoo Live Cams
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Tour Walt Disney World or LegoLand
- Take a roller coaster ride
- Watch one of IMDB's 1000 best movies of all time
- Practice the sign language (ASL) alphabet
- Play a guitar cord
- Learn chess by playing chess
- Learn how to tie a scarf 25 ways
- Learn to tie basic knots
- Do nothing for 10 minutes
- Things to Do in Western NY
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Visit our page on Things to Do in Western NY, compiled by a student and focused largely on outdoor activities.
- Additional Care Packages and Mind-Body Resources
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- From Shine, Virus Anxiety Toolkit (meditations, information on financial issues, anxiety and isolation tips)
- From TAO Connect (Therapy Assisted Online), Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises
- From Onbeing, A Care Package for Uncertain Times (a collection of podcasts, poetry, meditations, and more)
- From Kristen Neff (via Ten Percent Happier), 10 Self-Compassion Practices for Covid-19
- From Calm app, Take a Deep Breath (a hand-picked collection of free meditations, sleep stories, calming music, and more)
- From Tide app, Take a Pause with Tide ("Peace in Crisis," a selection of COVID-specific meditations)
- From Yo-Yo Ma, Songs of Comfort and Hope (a playlist with over an hour of soothing music)
- From NPR and Spotify, A Playlist with 6 Hours of Soothing Music
- Faculty/Staff Resources
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- Learn How to Have Difficult Conversations
Try these Conversation Starters from Seize the Awkward or use Kognito, a free online interactive course to help you practice difficult conversations (see below; both student and faculty/staff versions are available). You can also take QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Training, which teaches you how to recognize mental health symptoms and connect those in need of help (currently offered FREE from NYS; use the organizational code "SUNY" when setting up your account). - Focus on Faculty & Staff Well-Being
In conjunction with TLC, Dr. Beth Cholette put together a series of Wellness Wednesday resources that are featured in the Geneseo Today emails every Wednesday. You can review the archive of past themes, which include connection, slow down, be present, physical wellness, compassion, and more. - Engage in Mindful Multiple Choice
View this video recording of an interactive presentation that Dr. Beth Cholette did for TLC in December 2020. - Take Care of YOURSELF!
View this short slide show, Self-Care (a brief guide), for tips
- Learn How to Have Difficult Conversations
- Local/Other Assistance
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If you are in the Rochester NY area and are looking for services ranging from health care to food to child care, view this live document containing Rochester, NY COVID-19 Community Care.
If for any reason you are hungry, visit Feeding America for information about local food banks that serve your area. Geneseo also has a December 2020 Food Delivery Form allowing you to sign up to receive assistance.