Lehman College students, faculty, and staff are known for their resolve and their resilience. The outbreak of COVID-19 in New York, however, has led to an extended period of uncertainty, with information that changes every day. In this environment, even the most resilient among us will have questions, require assistance, or feel the emotional and physical impact of health and economic insecurity, social distancing requirements and isolation.

The Office of Student Affairs and the Lehman College Counseling Center compiled the following list of reliable sources for information about COVID-19, how you can protect yourself, your loved ones and manage the stress that comes with trying to get through each day in this pandemic.

KNOW THE FACTS:

One way to decrease stress is to know the facts. Here are some resources that provide information on a college, local and national scale. Lehman College Coronavirus resource page

• Lehman College Coronavirus resource page
• NYC Department of Health Coronavirus page
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• CDC recommendations for prevention
• Stress and coping
• Taking care of your emotional health

SELF-CARE TIPS:

CUNY Health and Wellness has offered some self-care tips:

• Drink plenty of non-caffeinated, unsweetened fluids.
• Make good choices about what you eat, and eat regularly.
• Prioritize sleep and letting your minds and bodies rest and recover.
• Give yourself permission to take breaks.
• This is a stressful time. Make conscious choices to wait 5, 15, or 30 minutes before responding to communications that trigger strong emotions.
• Do less. Focus more.
• Be kind to yourself and others in speech and action.

STRESS MANAGEMENT SELF-HELP RESOURCES:

Other ways to reduce anxiety include managing stress and utilizing coping techniques. Consider using the following self-help resources. In addition to these, there are many more available online.

• Positive Psychology Crisis Kit
• The 10-Minute Mind (CUNY-sponsored mindfulness course)

Apps on iTunes and Google Play

• Stop, Breathe, & Think: mindfulness activities
• Insight Timer: guided meditations to help reduce anxiety and promote healthy sleep, plus coronavirus-guided meditation
• Daylio Journal: mood monitoring and reminders to practice healthy behaviors

YouTube

• Stress bucket 
• Struggle Switch
• 3 Happiness Myths 

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) resources

• CBT Self Help for Anxiety 
• CBT Self Help: Thoughts are not Facts
• Centre for Clinical Interventions: Health Anxiety
• Centre for Clinical Interventions: Worry and Rumination

COUNSELING RESOURCES:

Lehman College Counseling Center’s recommended mental health community resources
NYC WELL To talk to a counselor at any time, about anything, you may also call 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355) or text “WELL” to 65173.

CRISIS RESOURCES:

Call 911 or go to your local emergency room

NYC Well crisis services

Suicide prevention: 1-800-LIFENET (1-800-543-3638) or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)  

Crisis Text Line Text “START” to 741-741

For counselors trained to assist members of the LGBTQ+ community, text “START” to 678-678 to reach Trevor Project Helpline