New Yorkers were always a little more high-strung than the rest of the country (it’s part of our charm!), but recent events have taken a toll on even the toughest of city dwellers.
With fear of illness and job loss, anxiety and stress levels are understandably high. And while the state government has been focused on getting equipment and facilities ready to manage our physical health, they haven’t forgotten about mental health.
“The mental health impact of this pandemic is very real,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York is here to help. Get free emotional support, consultation, and referral to a provider.”
The State’s Emotional Support Hotline is staffed by volunteers, including mental health professionals, who have received training in crisis counseling, according to NY.gov.
All you have to do is call 1-844-863-9314. The help line is staffed 8am to 10pm, seven days a week. “Over 10,000 mental healthcare workers have answered our call to help,” Cuomo said, of who is staffing the line. Workers from all around the country signed up to help.
They also have created guidelines to “help people manage the anxiety caused by their concerns over the COVID-19 epidemic,” which you can find online here.
In NY we are concerned about the mental health part of this pandemic, too.
We can’t underestimate that.
For FREE emotional support, consultation, and referral to a provider, call 1-844-863-9314
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 25, 2020