Maintaining Mental Health During COVID-19
As we add resources to help students and the community maintain mental health during the coronavirus pandemic, we will also add them to this page. Please check back often for updates.
General Mental Health Strategies
This worksheet is a helpful guide to continue to focus on your mental health during this time.
Ways to be Safer When Socializing During a Pandemic
Some helpful guidelines to help you stay safer while socializing.
Have You Had the COVID Talk?
A handy guide to consent, communication, and baoundaries for COVID-19.
Create a Social Bubble to Safely Socialize
A social bubble or a pandemic pod is a small group of 10 people or less. Together, the bubble chooses safety guidelines they will follow. Learn more about how to create your own social bubble here!
STEP UP to Protect the Greatness
Learn about five simple steps you can take as an empowered bystander to help you and others stay healthy and safe during the pandemic.
Coping During COVID Virtual Support Group
Impacted by COVID? Get support and learn helpful skills in this virtual support group for UAlbany students.
Psychological Tips for COVID-19 Concerns
Our flyer with Psychological Tips for COVID-19 Concerns has been shared across campus and continues to be one of our most helpful COVID-19 handouts.
Coping with the Loss of a Family Member, Friend, or Loved One to COVID 19
Unfortunately, COVID-related loss is something a number of students are facing right now. This document is intended as an initial resource, and includes information for how to connect to Counseling and Psychological Services for further support..
When a Loved One is Diagnosed with COVID 19: How to Cope
This worksheet is a helpful guide to coping when a loved one is diagnosed with COVID.
Video Content
We have created several informational videos related to behavioral health and well-being during the time of COVID-19. Videos are located here on our website and also on our YouTube channel. Below is a list of additional resources that supports information covered in our videos.
Sexual Health during COVID-19
Please click here if you would like to view this video directly on the Youtube website.
In this video, we provide information about sexual health during COVID-19.
- New York City Health Department
- American Sexual Health Association
- UAlbany’s LGBTQ+ COVID-19 Resource Guide
- Australian Government Department of Health
- Planned Parenthood and sexual health services during COVID-19
Physical Activity and Well-Being during COVID-19
Please click here if you would like to view this video directly on the Youtube website.
In this video, we provide information about physical activity and well-being during COVID-19.
- UAlbany’s virtual group exercise page
- For more information on the productivity tool, the Pomodoro Technique
- To stay connected on campus
Safer Alcohol Use during COVID-19
Please click here if you would like to view this video directly on the Youtube website.
In this video, we provide information about safer alcohol use during COVID-19. Please note that the National Institute of Health does not recommend alcohol use for those under 21 years old.
- National Institute of Health: BAC Calculator
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
- Clinical Psychology Review: Use of Alcohol Protective Behavioral Strategies among College Students
Safer Cannabis Use during COVID-19
Please click here if you would like to view this video directly on the Youtube website.
In this video, we provide strategies for safer cannabis use during COVID-19. It is important to keep in mind that the only way to completely avoid health risks is by choosing not to use cannabis. However, if you decide to use cannabis, we have some strategies that can help lower risk to your health.
- American Journal of Public Health: Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines
- T-Break: a guide to help support you on a cannabis tolerance break
Collegiate Recovery: Motivations for Social Distancing
Please click here if you would like to view this video directly on the Youtube website.
In this video, we discuss motivations for social distancing for students in recovery. Specific areas that we cover include: resilience, social connections, service, self-exploration, decreased anxiety, and new gratitude.
- Danes for Recovery, University at Albany’s Collegiate Recovery Program
- Friends of Recovery New York: COVID-19 Resources
- Yale Addiction Medicine: Harm Reduction We understand that some people in recovery prefer to use a harm reduction approach. In the spirit of supporting the health and safety of people in recovery who are using harm reduction strategies to address their substance use, we provide information created by Yale Addiction Medicine, which provides guidance on harm reduction approaches given the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Mindfulness Online Series
Mindfulness practice can be helpful in coping with our distancing and increased anxiety during this strange time. It presents an opportunity to refine awareness, compassion, and reflection in our daily life. CAPS clinicians Megan Cusick Brix and Tyler Hatchel will be providing you with information and tools to increase your mindfulness in daily activities, develop more coping skills, manage distress and remain in the present moment. Each week will include mindfulness concepts and information as well as practical exercises to begin your formal mindfulness practice.
50 Ways Great Danes De-stress
We've updated one of our most popular handouts to be relevant to students who are working remotely.
Self-Help Apps
We've updated our self-help apps page with new apps and new categories. Technology can be a great way to continue to stay focused on your mental health.
Crisis Support
- NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline: 1-844-863-9314
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or website (https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/) for additional resources
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) or text TalkWithUS to 66746
- Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741
- NYC Well – Text WELL to 65173
Recovery Resources
The following resources have been created and compiled for students in recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Danes for Recovery
- Weekly Online Recovery Meetings
- Collegiate All-Recovery Meetings
- We understand that some people in recovery prefer to use a harm reduction approach. In the spirit of supporting the health and safety of people in recovery who are using harm reduction strategies to address their substance use, we provide information created by Yale Addiction Medicine, which provides guidance on harm reduction approaches given the current COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for their Harm Reduction guidance.
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Counseling and Psychological Services
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Health and Counseling Services
1400 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12222
518-442-5800
Fax: 518-442-3096
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Hours
Semester Hours:
Weekday: 8:30am-5pm
Reception: 9am-4:30pmSummer & Intersession Hours:
Weekday: 8am-4pm
Reception: 8am-3:30pm
