Resources for Students

Crisis Text Line

Text CUNY to 741741.

CUNY Crisis Text Line

10 Minute Mind

10 Minute Mind is a mindfulness meditation program that CUNY provides for free to students, staff and faculty. Mindfulness meditation is a practice that many people use to achieve greater focus, calm, clarity and emotional stability. 10 Minute Mind provides daily meditation guides and more, accessible on your phone, computer or tablet. To sign up and learn more, visit the 10 Minute Mind website. And remember, there are many interpretations of mindfulness meditation.

If 10 Minute Mind is not a fit for you and you would like to explore other techniques for cultivating focus, calm, clarity and emotional stability, contact Counseling Services.

Understanding Your Health Insurance

Even if you have health insurance, it can be challenging to understand your coverage and what mental health services it will pay for. Many students end up paying out of pocket for services their insurance actually covers. Below are questions you can ask your insurance company to learn about what mental health services your insurance plan covers.

  1. Locate your insurance card.
  2. Call the customer service phone number on the back of the card and navigate through the phone menu in order to speak with an agent. Be prepared to provide information from the front of the card (member ID, group ID, etc.) to the company’s automated phone system and the agent.
  3. Once you are speaking with a customer service agent, ask the following questions:

Do I have in-network behavioral health care coverage? If yes:

  • What is my co-pay for behavioral health visits with in-network providers?
  • How many visits are covered, and within what time period?
  • Where can I get a list of in-network providers in my area who are accepting new patients at this time?
  • Do I need to meet a deductible before this coverage starts and, if so, how close am I to meeting that deductible and when does the count restart?

Do I have any out-of-network coverage for behavioral health visits? If yes:

  • What is the amount or percentage that you will cover per visit?
  • Is this covered percentage a percentage of the full fee or a percentage of the “fair or reasonable and customary rate”?
  • If you cover a percentage of the “fair or reasonable and customary rate,” what is that “fair or reasonable and customary rate” for the area where I want treatment?
  • Do I have to meet a special deductible for out-of-network coverage and, if so, how close am I to meeting it and when does the count restart?

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, many people need support with matters related to the pandemic. The SPS Counseling Service can discuss any feeling a student may be experiencing related to the pandemic--the stress of physical illness, grief and loss, family difficulties, and stress related to pandemic changes and conditions. In addition to support at SPS Student Counseling, below are other COVID-19-specific support resources:

New York State COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline
1-844-863-9314
https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/covid-19-resources.html

NYC COVID Care Network
If you are having a medical issue related to COVID-19, you can also call New York State's medical hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
https://nyccovidcare.org

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance