The Psychological Center

The Psychological Center

Resources Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Recursos en español: https://www.nuevayorkinos.com/noticias-espanol

Healthcare

Isolation is the key to defeating the virus. The best method of avoiding the virus is simply staying home. 

According to CityMD: If you have the primary symptoms – fever, cough, body aches, no sense of smell or taste – you should assume you have COVID-19. Don’t panic. Isolate and take care of yourself with over the counter cold and flu medicines and lots of fluids. The virus will dehydrate you, so you must force yourself to drink a lot of fluid to stay ahead of it. Did we mention fluids? If you have symptoms, it’s all the more important that you isolate and disinfect. The virus is spread by droplets; when you leave your home or touch the doorknob or the remote with unclean hands, you’re putting others at risk.  

Check here for information on Health and Hospitals Community Health Center locations. 

Check here for information on Health and Hospitals Neighborhood Health Center locations.

COVID-19 Testing 

Testing is free to all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a healthcare provider or by calling the NYS COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-364-3065. More information on drive-through testing and other testing sites available here.

If you or a loved one is sick, you can first seek help through NewYork-Presbyterian’s COVID-19 hotline at 646-697-4000 or contacting Virtual Urgent Care.

Mental Health and Stress Management

Meditation and Breathing

1. Headspace: curated free meditation content for the crisis.

2. Ten Percent Happier: curated free meditations, podcasts, blog posts, and talks to help build resilience and find some calm (includes guided meditations for coronavirus responders, basic relaxation, self-compassion for stress, feeling insecure)

3. Breathing Exercises:

   • Free Paced Breathing Apps: Breathe Deep (iPhone) and Paced Breathing (Android)

   • A simple breathing exercise (paced breathing)

4. A selection of our favorites:

   • If you are tense and anxious / need help with falling asleep: 

     • 10 minute Progressive Muscle Relaxation

     • 10-minute Smile Meditation 

     • 3 guided meditations – 6, 12, and 18 minutes - Reducing Anxiety and Getting to Sleep 

   • If you are craving alcohol/ substances or having other urges:

     • 3-minute Urge Surfing Meditation

     • 10-minute Reflection: Pausing and Deepening Attention in the Face of Attachment

   • A basic intro meditation

     • 10 min meditation with a body scan, bringing focus to the breath, sounds, then resting in awareness

Workouts

Yoga:

1. Yoga with Adriene. Free always. 

2. Free 10 min yoga and tai chi with Tara Stiles, 

3. Down dog: Application for yoga and yoga for beginners. Free through May 1.

Other:

1. HIIT, Barre, 7-minute workout apps. Free through May 1.

2. Virtual YMCA classes

3. Live-streamed fitness classes 7pm

Useful Coping Skills and Information

1. COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Resources -- guidelines on questions and concerns about the coronavirus, and how to deal with anxiety at home

2. Art Therapy at home 

3. Distress Tolerance Skills: Your 6-Skill Guide to Navigate Emotional Crises

   • If you’re at your emotional breaking point and need help with crisis survival: use TIPP

   • If you need to tolerate a negative emotion until you are able to address and eventually resolve the situation: ACCEPTS 

   • Tolerate emotions until the intensity subsides and make it better: IMPROVE 

Mental Health Support Hotlines

NYC Well -- free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health and substance misuse support, available 24/7 via phone, text and online chat

To contact NYC Well, call:

• 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355)

• 1-888-692-9355 (Español) 

Or text “WELL” to 651-73

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline -- dedicated to providing emotional support during a natural or human-caused disaster

To contact SAMHSA, call: 1-800-985-5990 

Or text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor

Crisis Text Line -- free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to chat with a trained Crisis Counselor. 

Safe Horizon -- for victims and survivors of domestic violence and other types of abuse. 

NYC hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)

Resources for Parents and Caregivers

1. Guide for Parents and Caregivers -- what you should know, how to keep your family safe, and how to cope with stress

2. Talking with children about COVID-19 

3. Free Digital Children’s Book about COVID-19

4.  Cómo hablar con los niños sobre el coronavirus 

5. COVID-19 comic for kids -- teaching children about the virus and what they can do to protect themselves

6. Workouts for kids - Joe Wicks offers free daily PE classes for kids 

7. Online Tutoring for K-12 -- GoPeer is a resource that allows families to connect with qualified college students who are available to tutor.

Resources for Undocumented People

1. Nationwide & NYC resources 

2. Lista de recursos para personas indocumentadas en NYC 

Financial Assistance

1. MetroPlus Health Insurance -- sign up for affordable health insurance if you don’t already have it 

2. Some credit cards are waiving late-payment fees or deferring interest charges -- contact your bank or credit card company if you need financial assistance

3. Unemployment insurance -- for employees who have been laid off or have had hours reduced. FAQs here.

4. COVID-19 Services and Resources -- apply for unemployment, food, rent, Medicaid, and other assistance

5. Workers’ rights in the midst of COVID-19

6. Impact of COVID-19 on public benefits

7. Federal Loan Repayment Support from the government 

Food Insecurity

1. Emergency Food Assistance Program -- get free food quickly from a food pantry or community kitchen.

For urgent food and hunger needs, call the Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777 or 311.

1. Invisible Hands -- free deliveries of supplies, groceries, for most at-risk community members facing COVID-19. 

2. Food Safety Guide -- safety issues around ordering food, shopping for groceries, etc. 

Housing

1. All eviction proceedings and pending eviction orders have been suspended as of March 16 -- see FAQs

2. Tenants’ rights

3. Homebase -- develop a personalized plan to overcome an immediate housing crisis

4. Housing Court Answers -- info about Housing Court and housing questions 

Internet

Many internet companies are offering free WIFI access for students for two months. Here is a list of internet companies to contact if you would like to sign up.

1. List of US providers offering free wifi or special accommodations

2. Free hotspots Xfinity

3. Free broadband for students Altice

Disabilities

1. Administration for Community Living -- what adults with disabilities need to know and how to plan for the outbreak

2. Department of Education Guideline -- Q&A on services for children with disabilities

Volunteer Opportunities

1. Mutual Aid NYC -- a network of groups organizing to provide aid and support

Request assistance or get involved

1. New York Cares -- find out how to help city agencies and community partners

2. Invisible Hands -- sign up to make free deliveries for the most at-risk community members

3. New York Blood Center -- donate blood

Educational

1. Scholastic learning at home -- day by day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing. 

2. Distance Learning Guide -- tips for students on managing time, space, and classes with distance learning during the outbreak.

3. Virtual School Activities -- A collection of sites to live web cams, virtual tours/trips, and other miscellaneous fun educational sites.

Entertainment

1. Free Apps 

2. Netflix Party (watch shows/movies with friends and loved ones) 

3. Hundred of audible books 

4. 2500 Museums to visit virtually