Coping Tools
Self-help and crisis resources for coping with stress, anxiety, and other concerns.
Reach a licensed mental health professional by phone outside of our regular hours of operation by calling CPS at (212) 854-2878. Follow the prompts to be connected to a counselor.
Sexual Violence Response offers 24/7 support 365 days a year via the SVR Helpline at 212-854-HELP (4357).
Beyond resources in Columbia Health and on campus, there are many helpful resources available online and in the greater NYC community.
Crisis Help
What: Available 24/7. Speak with a professional or peer counselor for confidential, non-judgmental emotional support, suicide prevention, crisis support, and help accessing mental health and substance abuse care.
Chat online: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/
Call: 1-888-NYC-WELL or 1-888-692-9355
Text: Text WELL to 65173
Languages:
- English: 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355)
- Press 2 Call 711 (Relay Service for Deaf/Hard of Hearing)
- Español: 1-888-692-9355, Press 3
- 中文: 1-888-692-9355, Press 4 I
- Interpreters are available for 200+ languages.
What: Provides crisis intervention for students age 25 and under identifying as LGBTQ. Support on a variety of issues affecting emotional well-being, whether or not concerns are directly related to identifying as LGBTQ.
Call: 1-866-488-7386. Available 24/7.
Chat online: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now. Available 7 days/ week from 3pm-10pm EST.
Text: TREVOR to 202-304-1200. Available Monday-Friday, 3-10pm EST
What: Connect with a Crisis Counselor, a real-life human being trained to bring texters from a hot moment to a cool calm through active listening and collaborative problem solving. Available 24/7
Text: Text HOME to 741741
Website: https://www.crisistextline.org/
What: Available 24/7. Free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
Call: 1-800-273-8355
TTY: 1-800-799-4889
Chat online: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat
What: Available 24/7/365. SAHMSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Resources) Disaster Distress Helpline provides immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster, pandemic (including COVID-19) etc.
Call: 1-800-985-5990 (English and español)
TTY: 1-800-846-8517
Text:
(English) Text TalkWithUs to 66746
(español) SMS Hablanos al 66746
What: Available 24/7/365. Speak with someone for high quality, responsive information, and referral throughout New York State for individuals experiencing substance abuse and problems with gambling. Offered through the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). Toll-free and confidential.
Call: 1-877-8-HOPENY or 1-877-8-467369
Text: Text HOPENY to 467369
Languages:
- English
- Spanish
- Bengali
- Traditional Chinese
- Haitian-Creole
- Korean
- Russian
National Domestic Violence Hotline
What: Available 24/7, confidential and free. Highly-trained advocates are available to talk/chat confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
Website: https://www.thehotline.org/
Call: 1-800-799-7233
Text: LOVEIS to 22522
Chat: https://www.thehotline.org/
Languages:
- English
- Spanish
National Sexual Assault Hotline
What: Available 24/7, confidential and free. Phone and online chat for survivors and their loved ones.
Website: https://rainn.org/
Call: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Chat: https://hotline.rainn.org/online
Languages:
- English
- Spanish
Sanctuary for Families Safety Plan
What: A safety plan (a set of steps one can take to reduce the risk of harm in unsafe situations with an abuser or family member) designed with changes in the current environments due to coronavirus in mind.
Website: https://sanctuaryforfamilies.org/safety-planning-covid19/
Languages:
- English
- Spanish
The StrongHearts Native Helpline
What: Available daily, 7am-10pm CT. A safe domestic violence and dating violence helpline for American Indians and Alaska Natives, offering culturally-appropriate support and advocacy.
Website: https://www.strongheartshelpline.org/
Call: 1−844-762-8483
Trans Lifeline
What: Available 24/7. A peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers. This hotline is staffed exclusively by trans operators is the only crisis line with a policy against non-consensual active rescue.
Website: https://www.translifeline.org/
Call: 1-877-565-8860
What: Available Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM PST to 7:00 PM PST. Get emotional support from a trained Advocate and become empowered and a stronger parent.
Website: http://www.nationalparenthelpline.org/
Call: 1-855- 4A-PARENT (1-855-427-2736)
Resources for Specific Concerns and Life Skills
CBT-i Coach
Website: https://mobile.va.gov/app/cbt-i-coach
What: Provides tools to improve sleep habits and prevent future insomnia, as well as access to educational materials about proper sleep hygiene.
Note: This app is not meant to be used as a substitute for psychological services but rather as an additional resource to augment ongoing treatment.
PTSD Coach
Website: https://mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-coach
What: Provides support to people struggling with the aftereffects of trauma by educating users about trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also provides tools to identity, track, and manage trauma symptoms.
Although some information specifically addresses veterans specifically, educational information and tools for tracking and managing PTSD symptoms are suitable for many people who have experienced a wide range of traumatic events.
Note: This app is not a substitute for psychological services but rather as an additional resource to augment ongoing treatment. While the app suggests some people may wish to wait to see if their trauma symptoms improve before seeking professional help, we believe that in the aftermath of trauma, it is best to reach out to a mental health professional.
Sexual Violence Response offers 24/7 support 365 days a year via the SVR Helpline at 212-854-HELP (4357)
SMART Recovery Toolbox
Website: http://www.smartrecovery.org/smart-recovery-toolbox/
What: Part of the SMART self-help program for substance abuse with influences from the 12 step model.
Addicaid
Website: https://addicaid.com/
What: Promotes moderation management and sobriety for a variety of addictive substances and processes such as overeating, gambling, sexual compulsion.
This app is not available on Google Play.
Focus Keeper
Website: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/focus-keeper-work-study-timer/id830466924
What: Uses the Pomodoro Method to help students who have trouble organizing their tasks, sustaining attention and/or managing work-related anxiety.
Eating Recovery Center
Website: Eating Recovery
What: Resources that can provide valuable connection and support for those struggling with and recovering from eating disorders, mood and anxiety disorders and substance use disorders.
Mindfulness Resources
Website: https://chrisgermer.com/meditations/
What: A website with free audio and written meditations that average 10-15 minutes in length. Examples include: Affectionate Breathing, Loving-Kindness for Ourselves, Giving and Receiving Compassion, Working with Difficult Emotions, Labeling Emotions, and Forgiving Ourselves.
Website: https://quietkit.com/
What: A website that presents a very simple, direct type of guided meditation for beginners, perfect for anyone getting started: focusing your attention on your breath, and nothing else, as you sit quietly.
The website provides free 2, 4, 6, 8 minute guided and 10 minute unguided meditations.
Insight Timer
Website: https://insighttimer.com/
What: Offers over 8,000 free guided meditations, 1,000 music tracks, polyphonic bells and ambient sounds, and stats/journaling to track progress.
Website: http://www.mindfulnessdailyapp.com/
What: Helps develop a mindful daily routine with prompts to initiate mindfulness in the morning, during the day, and at night.