COVID-19 Resources
The Brandeis Counseling Center (BCC) recognizes that during this time, many members of our community will feel uncertainty, fear, loneliness, and a host of other emotions. The counseling center has comprised a list of mental health resources that we hope will be shared across our community.
The Brandeis Counseling Center is staffed by a 24/7 answering service which connects callers to a BCC staff person. Please call if you need a referral for counseling or if you have an urgent need to talk to someone: 781-736-3730 and select option 2.Connecting with a Mental Health Provider in Your Community
If you wish to find services in your hometown or off campus there are several options.
- Look at the databases below to search for the right clinician for you.
- You can also request support from your insurance company to find an in-network provider list of clinicians close to you who accept your insurance.
Resources
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Provider Databases
- Psychology Today: One of the largest databases of therapists in the US, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and South Africa. Search by insurance type, specialty, location, and more.
- ZenCare: An online database where you can schedule an appointment with a therapist and/or psychiatrist in your area. You can refine your search by specialty, location, and insurance.
- National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (TQTTCN): Provides a network where therapists can deepen their analysis of healing justice and where queer and trans people of color can connect to care. Check out their directory for LGBTQ clinicians of color in your area.
- Therapy for Black Girls: Therapy for Black Girls is an online space and therapist directory dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. Though it specifies "women and girls,” it may be worth checking out for non-binary folks.
- InnoPsych: Online database featuring clinicians of color across the country. Can search based on specialty, insurance, service type, and preferred ethnicity.
- ZocDoc: Online platform where you can search for a medical professional in your area who accepts your insurance. This includes psychiatrist, primary care, therapist, and more. You can schedule your appointments online without needing to call.
Telehealth Services
- iHope Network: Videoconferencing therapy that is covered by many major health insurance companies, including Brandeis Health Insurance. $20-25 copay for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, offer sliding scale.
- BetterHelp: Largest online counseling platform worldwide. They provide convenient, discreet and affordable access to a licensed therapist. $40-70/week, billed monthly. Offers LGBTQ specialists, pronoun options, sexual orientation options, and more.
- TalkSpace: Over 1000+ licensed counselors are available to offer therapy to the LGBTQ community. Offers a free consultation.
- Unlimited Messaging Therapy Plus: $65/week for text, video & audio messaging. Your therapist responds to messages daily, 5 days/week. (Billed as $260 monthly)
- Unlimited Messaging Therapy Premium: $79/week for text, video & audio messaging + 1 Live Session/month. Your therapist responds to messages daily, 5 days/week. (Billed as $316 monthly)
- LiveTalk Therapy Ultimate: $99/week for text, video & audio messaging + 4 Live Sessions/month. Your therapist responds to messages daily, 5 days/week. (Billed as $396 monthly)
Emergency Services
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline: (800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889) Also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service. They are a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, substance use and information service, in English and Spanish. They can be reached via phone at .
- NAMI HelpLine: (800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org) National alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800-273-TALK (8255)) The Lifeline provides 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.
- Trans Lifeline: (877-565-8860) Trans-led, peer support hotline.
- Trevor Project: (866-488-7386 or Text START to 678678) A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth.
- National Crisis Text Line: Free 24/7 crisis support. Text 741741 to start.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800-273-8255) 24-hours, 7 days a week.
- National Disaster Distress Hotline: 24/7 toll-free, multilingual support line. Call 800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Advocates are available 24/7 at 800-799-SAFE (7233) in more than 200 languages. All calls are free and confidential.
- The Network/La Red: 24-hour hotline provides confidential emotional support, information, referrals, safety planning, and crisis intervention for LGBTQ folks, as well as folks in SM/kink and polyamorous communities who are being abused or have been abused by a partner. Offer information and support to friends, family, or co-workers on the issue of domestic violence in LGBTQ communities.
- NYC Well: Free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services, in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365. Text “well” to 65173. Call 1-888-NYC-WELL. Chat here.
Emergency Funds
- Brandeis Emergency Fund: If you are concerned about how to afford your move home (travel, storage, shipping, etc.), please email emergencyfunds@brandeis.edu to make a request for needed funds.
- Cambridge COVID-19 Emergency Fund: The Cambridge Community Foundation is making grants of between $200 and $1,000, with the hopes of reaching as many people in emergency need who live and/or work in Cambridge, MA. Proof of residency or employment in Cambridge required.
- COVID-19 Family Support Fund: United Way has established the COVID-19 Family Support Fund, a dedicated resource for working families affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Individuals can dial 2-1-1 for comprehensive information and referrals related to the virus, including information on where they can access flexible funds through the COVID-19 Family Support Fund.
- Food Finder Resource: The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) partners with 500+ hunger-relief agencies, including food pantries, community meal programs and other food assistance providers throughout the nine counties and 190 towns and cities across Eastern Massachusetts.
- Union Capital Boston Visa Gift Card Support: One-time direct gift campaign to send Visa gift cards to those who need it urgently in the Greater Boston area. Only one gift card per household.
- Newton COVID-19 Care Fund: In the coming days, visit this space for more detailed information on fund eligibility requirements and information about how to submit your application. Until next week, if you need immediate help, please contact United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline which will provide immediate guidance.
Self-Care During Social Distancing and Quarantine
- Social distancing doesn't have to doom your weekends: We have ideas - 25 ideas for self-care from CNN.
- Self-Care Tips to Get You Through the New Coronavirus Normal: Tips from KQED on how to care for yourself and others during times of uncertainty.
- Want to do something about coronavirus? Here are 5 ideas.: Tip from Vox on how to support yourself and your community (from basic precautions to pushing back on ageism to challenging racism and xenophobia) during the pandemic.
- Caring for Your Mental Health Despite the Coronavirus: Article from McLean Hospital
- The Dos and Don’ts of ‘Social Distancing’: Article from The Atlantic featuring Q&A with public health experts.
- Treating Yellow Peril: Resources to Address Coronavirus Racism: Live crowdsourced document and resource started by Jason Oliver Chang, an associate professor of history and Asian American studies at the University of Connecticut.
- Do Yoga With Me - Offers hundreds of free streaming videos of yoga for all skill levels.
- Libby: Borrow thousands of ebooks and audiobooks from your public library, instantly, for free, using just the device in your hand.
Depression and Anxiety Apps
- SAM: SAM is an application to help you understand and manage anxiety. The app has been developed in collaboration with a research team from UWE, Bristol.
- MindShift: MindShift™ CBT uses scientifically proven strategies based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help you learn to relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety.
- CBT Thought Diary: With this thought diary, when you're feeling down you can document your negative emotions, analyze patterns in your thinking, and reevaluate your thoughts. It may even help you recognize ways to deal with your unhelpful patterns of thinking.
- WoeBot: Get hundreds of expert-crafted tools to learn about yourself and improve your mood whenever you need them. Free, but contents are limited. Upgrade to premium for more options.
- Anti-Stress Relaxation Toys: When you need relaxation, diversion or just a moment of distraction enjoy this collection of toys: hear the sound of a bamboo chime, play with wooden boxes, swipe gently your finger in the water, tap buttons, draw with chalks and so on.
- PTSD Coach: PTSD Coach was designed for those who have, or may have, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This app provides you with education about PTSD, information about professional care, a self-assessment for PTSD, opportunities to find support, and tools that can help you manage the stresses of daily life with PTSD.
- AnxietyVirus: Resources for anxiety, and overall mental during current pandemic
Meditation & Affirmation Apps
- Calm: Free app offering calming music, video lessons on mindful movement and gentle stretching, and meditations to help keep you calm and relaxed.
- Insight Timer: Free meditation app for sleep, anxiety, and stress. I especially recommend Manoj Dias.
- Liberate: Free meditation app by and for the Black & African Diaspora. Meditation categories include ancestors, love, self worth, gratitude, microaggressions, mindfulness, and more.
- I Am - Positive Affirmations: How many negative thoughts have been endlessly repeating in your mind? Daily affirmations help rewire our brains, build self esteem and change negative thought patterns. Choose from many daily intentions and set reminders to be delivered throughout the day.
- Mantra: Nothing is more uplifting than self-told words. The latest researches indicate that using positive mantras decreases stress and improves performance on challenging duties. More than 10000+ affirmations from 10 different categories.
Peer Support
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LGBT National Youth Talkline: Free and Confidential peer support for the LGBTQ and questioning community ages 25 and younger. 800-246-7743 or connect to an online peer-support chat.
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Fenway Peer Listening Line (25 & Under): You can receive free help, information, referrals, and support for a range of issues. 617-267-2535, toll-free 800-399-PEER.
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7Cups: 7Cups offers a free 24/7 supportive chat run by trained volunteers.
Instagram
There are many therapists and healers that are Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and/or LGBTQ on Instagram that offer daily affirmations, psychoeducation, and general insights. Some of these (such as @latinxtherapy & @alex_elle) also have podcasts. Some feature content related to COVID-19, others are more generally related to mental health. There are not a replacement for therapy, but as a complimenting resource to regular care.
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Hours and Location
Regular Hours
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Monday – Friday
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9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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After 5 p.m., open by appointment only.
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- Monday – Thursday
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11 a.m. – noon
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3 – 4 p.m.
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- Friday
- 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
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1 – 2 p.m.
Location
- The BCC is located in Mailman House.