Health and Wellness

COVID-19 has brought new terms, many of which have not been a part of our daily conversations. By learning more terms such as social distancing, quarantine and isolation, you will be better prepared to understand the news stories and conversations around you. Cleveland Clinic’s COVID-19: Understanding Quarantine, Isolation and Social Distancing  takes a quick look at these terms and provides some practical tips for protecting yourself. With this knowledge, you can support healthy practices in your life and those around you.

Feeding New York State is a non-profit organization representing the regional food banks located across the state. They work with food banks located throughout New York to provide hunger relief in a variety of ways. Visit the Feeding NYS website to learn about food resources in your area.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families.

NYC Residents must apply through Access HRA

Unemployment insurance is temporary income for eligible workers who have lost their jobs at no fault of their own. Visit the New York State Unemployment Insurance website to view more information and eligibility requirements.

The Office of Children and Family Services provides assistance for child care costs to eligible families and parents seeking help with child care.

Additional information about paying for child care.

Find local providers by county.

Stress can come from various places like starting college, starting a new semester, family issues, midterms/finals, and work responsibilities. Everyone reacts differently to stress, and it is difficult to predict how one may feel. Learning to recognize and manage anxiety and stress will help you maintain good communication with those closest to you and build a stronger support community. Below are free resources to use

• Mental Health should always be a priority. To reach the NY Project Hope Emotional Support Helpline assist New York State residents with coping with COVID. Call 844-863-9314 to speak with a peer about understanding reactions and emotions during COVID-19.

• New York State has partnered with HeadSpace to provide residents with free science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools. The tool include meditation for adults and children, mindfulness exercises, and much more.

• Routines can be very helpful in times of stress. Psychology Today provides tips and tricks on how to create a routine to reduce stress and anxiety throughout the day.

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States by calling 1-800-273-8255 or visit their website now!

If you are in immediate danger for your life, call 911.

Concerned about your safety and having to stay home with an abuser? Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 text LOVEIS to 22522.

SUNY Sexual Assault & Violence Response (SUNYSAVR) site provides resources and support to assist students who are concerned about safety or have questions about disclosing sexual or interpersonal violence. Visit the SUNYSAVR website today for more information.

SUNY Empire State College’s Title IX Coordinator is here to help access resources both locally and statewide. Reach out to Kerianne Silver, title IX coordinator, at 800-847-3000 x1009 or email kerianne.silver@esc.edu 

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence offers additional local resources.

Some companies have announced steps to help ensure people stay connected to the Internet as more schools suspend classes and companies encourage employees to work from home. Comcast, Spectrum, and AT&T offer support with internet needs:

Comcast COVID-19 support

Spectrum COVID-19 Update

ATT COVID-19 Response

For student currently utilizing public benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs), Lifeline Support has created a federally funded program to reduce the cost phone or internet.

Additional resources or links may be available from local school districts who have posted resources for parents of student to find local internet service providers.

If you or a loved one are in recovery and are looking for virtual recovery support options, visit

AA Online Meetings Directory

Virtual Narcotics Anonymous

Al-Anon Electronic Meetings

New York State Addiction Services and Supports was created to support substance use prevention, treatment and recovery for all New York Residents. The 24/7 HOPEline provides assistance with addiction, substance use, and gambling and can be reached by calling 877-846-7369 or texting 467369.

The Find Addiction Treatment Dashboard finds local options including Office of Addiction Services and Supports Addiction Treatment Centers, opioid treatment programs, inpatient and residential programs.

Find a Recovery Center - Recovery services including peer and family services are also available via telehealth. Recovery Centers promote long-term recovery through skill-building, recreation, employment readiness and the opportunity to connect with recovery services and supports.

New York State partner, Friends of Recovery (FOR-NY) have compiled a list of online recovery mutual aid support groups.

U-Haul is offering affected college students 30 days of free self-storage at U-Haul owned facilities to help college students impacted by unforeseen schedule changes at their universities. For more details please visit Uhaul's storage options webpage.

SUNY and the Office of Mental Health have partnered to offer access to a free 24/7 text-based service for individuals in distress.

To reach out, simply text Got5 to 741741.

SUNY and off-campus mental health provider application, ThrivingCampus, partnered to enhance mental health options in your local community. The ThrivingCampus application filters results for professional mental health providers based upon criteria to find local providers who are accepting new patients. Students who do not have insurance may filter by providers who offer a sliding scale option.

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States by calling 1-800-273-8255 or visit their website now!

• Grieving the loss of a loved one is challenging in many ways. The New York State Office of Mental Health offers facts about grieving and also provides a list of resources that can offer support during a time of loss.
• New York Connects provides a Grief and Loss Support Group that meets regularly and can help with working through the phases of grief. They can be reached at 315-782-4483.

• For information about Mental Health and the many resources available to you, check out the the WNY Mental Health Advocates Home Page.
• If you are facing Food Insecurity, the Food Bank of Western New York can be contacted at 716-822-2002.
• A list of local resources for domestic violence, child care, and addiction is on the Erie County Department of Health website.

• For information about Wellness and Mental Health visit the Rochester Mental Health Association website.
• Local resources for Public or emergency assistance, temporary housing, or childcare information, for Monroe county, can be found on the Monroe County COVID-19 website
• Healthcare guidance and childcare recommendations, for Ontario county, can be found at the Ontario County COVID-19 website
• For services to all residents who are age 60 and over, you can contact Office for the Aging at 585-344-1611

• For information about Mental Health, or if you are seeing a Mental Health provider, the Broome County Mental Health Department can help.
• If you are facing Food Insecurity the Foodbank of the Southern Tier is located at 388 Upper Oakwood Ave., Elmira, NY and can be reached at 607-796-60610.
• Local Resources for Child Care, SNAP, Business Resources and Public Transportation information is available from the Tompkins County Human Services Coalition

• For information about Mental Health, Counseling, or Substance Abuse the Mental Health Association of New York has a Services for Onondaga County document.
• If you are facing Food Insecurity, the Food Bank of Central New York can be reached at 315-437-1899.
• Child Care, Volunteer Opportunities and Senior Citizen Information can be found on the Onondaga County COVID-19 resources website.
• For legal assistance, please contact Syracuse University College of Law

• For information about Mental Health or Substance Abuse the Mohawk Valley Health System Behavioral Health Services has resources.
• If you are facing Housing Insecurity or need Emergency Assistance the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency can be reached at 315-624-9930.
• Child Care, Volunteer Opportunities, and Senior Citizens information is available on the Oneida County Health Department COVID-19 page.

• For information about Mental Health or support the North Country Mobile Integration team can help.
• If you are facing Food Insecurity the Plattsburgh Interfaith Food Pantry can be reached at 518-562-3663
• Information about WIC, Food Insecurity, and Special Needs can be found at the Clinton County Health Department COVID-19 page.

• For information about Mental Health or Counseling please look at the Albany County Community Resource Directory for Mental Health Services.
• If you are facing Food Insecurity the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY can be reached at 518-786-3691.
• Local Resources for Small Businesses, Changes to Hospital and Visitor Guidelines, Webinars and Basic Needs information can be found on the Capital Region Chamber COVID-19 page. 

• For information about Mental Health or Community Health Resources please click here. 
• Return to Work protocols, Drive Through Testing information, and Local Health Department Clinic schedules, for Westchester county, can be found here. 
• Economic Assistance, Information for Schools and Food Assistance, for Orange County, can be found here. 

• For information about Mental Health or Counseling please click here. 
• If you are facing Food Insecurity the Food Bank for New York City can be contacted at 212-566-7855. 
• Unemployment, Health Care and Housing Insecurity information can be found here.
• The New York City Department of Education is able to offer daily free meals for any New Yorker. Information about this program can be found here. 

• For information about Mental Health and Support please click here. 
• If you are facing Food Insecurity the Long Island Cares, Inc. can be reached at 631-582-3663. 
• Tips for Small Businesses, Crisis Hotline Resources, and Veterans Service Agency information can be found here. 

The COVID-19 Pandemic has been difficult on many people and their families. Many people lost income, and many had to choose to put food on their table or paying their rent. The Center for Disease Control created an emergency mandate to prevent evictions for non-payment of rent. The Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have created a toolkit for renters to review potential options and resources for those behind on rent.

Click to view the HUD Renters Toolkit

Additional Questions, please contact the basic needs coordinator