Health and Wellness

Feeding New York State is a non-profit organization representing the regional food banks located across the state. They work with food banks located throughout New York to provide hunger relief in a variety of ways. Visit the Feeding NYS website to learn about food resources in your area.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families.

New York City residents must apply through Access HRA.

Unemployment insurance is temporary income for eligible workers who have lost their jobs at no fault of their own. Visit the New York State Unemployment Insurance website to view more information and eligibility requirements.

The Office of Children and Family Services provides assistance for child care costs to eligible families and parents seeking help with child care.

Additional information about paying for child care.

If you are in immediate danger for your life, call 911.

Concerned about your safety and having to stay home with an abuser? Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 text LOVEIS to 22522.

SUNY Sexual Assault & Violence Response (SUNYSAVR) site provides resources and support to assist students who are concerned about safety or have questions about disclosing sexual or interpersonal violence. Visit the SUNYSAVR website today for more information.

Empire State University’s Title IX Coordinator is here to help access resources both locally and statewide. Reach out to Lindsay Holcomb, director of human resources and interim Title IX director, at 518-581-2239 or email TitleIX@sunyempire.edu 

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence offers additional local resources.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefits program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more.

The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

Students who have received a Federal Pell Grant meet eligibility criteria

Visit the FCC website to find out more information and how to apply.

If you or a loved one are in recovery and are looking for virtual recovery support options, visit:

AA Online Meetings Directory

Virtual Narcotics Anonymous

Al-Anon Electronic Meetings

New York State Addiction Services and Supports was created to support substance use prevention, treatment and recovery for all New York Residents. The 24/7 HOPEline provides assistance with addiction, substance use, and gambling and can be reached by calling 877-846-7369 or texting 467369.

The Find Addiction Treatment Dashboard finds local options including Office of Addiction Services and Supports Addiction Treatment Centers, opioid treatment programs, inpatient and residential programs.

Find a Recovery Center - Recovery services including peer and family services are also available via telehealth. Recovery centers promote long-term recovery through skill-building, recreation, employment readiness and the opportunity to connect with recovery services and supports.

New York State partner, Friends of Recovery (FOR-NY) have compiled a list of online recovery mutual aid support groups.

Start Your Recovery offers people a single source of relatable, reliable information at any stage of their recovery journey. Visit startyourrecovery.org to listen to others starting their recovery and utilize the search feature to find rehabilitation centers, counseling, and support groups.

 

 

LifeWorks MySSP offers free and confidential mental health counseling for all students. Counseling sessions are offered in several different languages immediately and accessed from anywhere.

Find support in any of the three following ways:

1. Download the app from any device store to use the chat feature to text with a mental health professional, access on-demand counseling services, and find many mental wellness resources. Once downloaded, search for Empire State University, enter your details, agree to terms and conditions, and you are ready to access all LifeWorks MySSP has to offer.
2. Visit LifeWorks MySSP.App to find phone numbers or use the chat feature to text with a mental health professional.  Find the features you need by selecting "Get Support" at the top of the page. Follow the instructions to find the best resources Lifeworks has to offer.
3. Call Lifeworks MySSP directly to talk to a licensed mental health therapist at 1-(866)-743-7732 (United States Only). International phone numbers are found at MySSP.App.

Find the App for your device below:

Apple App Store

Google Play Store 

Android

ThrivingCampus

SUNY and off-campus mental health provider application, ThrivingCampus, partnered to enhance mental health options in your local community. The ThrivingCampus application filters result for professional mental health providers based on criteria to find local providers accepting new patients. Students who do not have insurance may filter by providers who offer a sliding scale option.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 across the United States by calling 1-800-273-8255. After July 16, 2022, dial 988 from any United States-based phone to directly connected with the National Suicide Lifeline. Additional information and chat functions are available on the Suicide Prevention Lifeline by visiting their talk to someone now website!