Mental Health and Well-Being

During this difficult and challenging time, you may be feeling, anxious, sad, overwhelmed, or angry at times. Below are some mental health supports available to you if you find yourself struggling with your emotions. For additional supports and services, please visit the Tompkins County Department of Health website.

Parents and Caregivers: If you are noticing your child has seemed more worried, sad, or irritable during this uncertain time, remember that this is to be expected. Below is a list of resources that help with understanding COVID-19 and dealing with anxiety around it.

Additionally, some of our elementary schools are providing social/emotional activities and mental health resources for families in their shared distance learning folders (click here for links to each of the elementary distance learning sites).

Please know that we are here to support you and your children during this challenging time. Our social workers, school psychologists, and school counselors are available to you and offering office hours. We encourage you to reach out and let us know how your family is doing; what you are going through; and how we can help provide the support you need.

Mental Health Supports

211 Tompkins Cortland

211 connects people who have questions about or are in need of any type of service, including employment, housing, health care, mental health, food, and childcare. Click here to search 211's extensive database of local and national organizations dedicated to getting you what you need.

To contact 211, dial 2-1-1 (or 1-877-211-8667) on your phone. You can also contact 211 by texting, emailing, or chatting from your computer. Click here to learn more.

Crisisline

Calling for help when you are in emotional pain is smart. The Crisisline offers free, confidential counseling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The trained and caring counselors are there to listen, support, and guide you.

To access the Crisisline, call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Click here to learn more.

Headspace

New York State is partnering with Headspace, a global leader in mindfulness and meditation, to offer free meditation and mindfulness content for all New Yorkers as a mental health resource for residents coping with the unprecedented public health crisis.

Visit headspace.com/ny to access a collection of science-backed, evidence-based guided meditations, along with at-home mindful workouts, sleep, and kids content to help address rising stress and anxiety.

OMH Emotional Support Helpline

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OHM) Emotional Support Helpline provides free and confidential support for those experiencing increased anxiety due to the coronavirus emergency. The Help Line is staffed by volunteers, including mental health professionals, who have received training in crisis counseling.

To access the Emotional Support Helpline, dial 1-844-863-9314. Click here to learn more.

Warm Line

The Child Development Council's Warm Line is a free, confidential, and anonymous telephone guidance service for parents and child care providers.

To access the Warm Line, dial 607-273-0259. The Council is open from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Click here to learn more.

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Resources for Caregivers

Addressing Grief

Source: National Association of School Psychologists

Eight facts and tips related to grief.

Care for Caregivers: Tips for Families and Educators

Source: National Association of School Psychologists

"Caregivers must take good care of themselves so they are able to take good care of the children in their charge."

Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19

Source: National Association of School Psychologists

"It is very important to remember that children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events".

How to Cope With Anxiety About Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Source: Verywell Mind

"Feelings of fear, anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty are normal during a pandemic. Fortunately, being proactive about your mental health can help to keep both your mind and body stronger."

Managing Anxiety Around COVID-19

Source: The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

"Between the uncertainty, the real health risks, and the hype, fear and anxiety are feelings that are both valid and common. We wanted to provide you with a few ideas for managing those feelings."

Resources for Parents During COVID-19

Source: The New York State School Social Workers’ Association

"Tips, activity ideas, and informational resources to help caregivers during this difficult and challenging time."

Stress and Coping

Source: CDC

"Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger."

Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty

Source: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

"It’s important to note that we are not helpless in light of current news events...If you are struggling, here are some things you can do to take care of your mental health in the face of uncertainty."

Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus

Source: Child Mind Institute

"Many parents are wondering how to bring up the epidemic in a way that will be reassuring and not make kids more worried than they already may be. Here is some advice from the experts."

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Ithaca City School District Office	607-274-2101
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High School 1401 North Cayuga Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Main Office: (607) 274-2143 Jason Trumble, Principal	DeWitt Middle 560 Warren Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Main Office: (607) 257-3222 Mac Knight, Principal	Boynton Middle 1601 North Cayuga Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Main Office: (607) 274-2241 Jeffrey Tomasik, Principal
Lehman Alternative 111 Chestnut Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Main Office: (607) 274-2183 Deborah Ptak, Principal	Belle Sherman 501 Mitchell Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Main Office: (607) 274-2206 Daniel Breiman, Principal	Beverly Martin 302 West Buffalo Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Main Office: (607) 274-2209 Susan Eschbach, Principal
Caroline 2439 Slaterville Road Slaterville, NY 14881 Main Office: (607) 539-7155 Kristin Herman, Principal	Cayuga Heights 110 East Upland Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Main Office: (607) 257-8557 Brad Pollack, Principal	Enfield 20 Enfield Main Road Ithaca, NY 14850 Main Office: (607) 274-2221 Keith Harrington, Principal
Fall Creek 202 King Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Main Office: (607) 274-2214 Caitlin Bram, Principal	Northeast 425 Winthrop Drive Ithaca, NY 14850 Main Office: (607) 257-2121 Liddy Coyle, Principal	South Hill 520 Hudson Street Ithaca, NY 14850 Main Office: (607) 274-2129 Perry Gorgen, Principal