[Important Information for Employees] Mental Health and Wellness Resources

[Office of the President]

Dear Students

I am very pleased to welcome you to the Fall 2022 semester, and the start
of a new academic year.

As you begin classes, many of you will also connect with peers and faculty,
join clubs and teams, and start to settle into a routine here.

At the same time, in addition to all the fresh energy and excitement you
may be feeling, I also recognize that some on our campus may face a variety
of challenges as our year unfolds.

While some testing and masking restrictions have been relaxed over the past
two years which have provided more of a sense of normalcy,” we continue to
live in a world where COVID is causing high levels of stress, anxiety,
depression, and other mental health conditions. And for many, these issues
already existed and were only made more difficult by the pandemic.

As part of our SUNY Plattsburgh commitment to the growth and success of all
students, we have invested in many services and resources to support your
health, and, more specifically your mental health. To that end, we have
instituted many programs and initiatives with support from the Higher
Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) that I want to share with you.

Currently, SUNY Plattsburgh offers the following to all students, at no
additional cost:


   -

   Licensed mental health counselors who provide free and unlimited
   in-person and tele-health services to students in addition to emergency
   same-day appointments.
   -

   A satellite office for Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN) as part
   of BHSN’s school-based mental health services.
   -

   Interns from Counselor Education who directly provide 1:1 counseling,
   couples therapy, group counseling, crisis assessments and outreach under
   supervision of a licensed mental health counselor
   -

   A cooperative partnership and referrals to the SUNY Student
   Tele-Counseling program through Upstate Medical University’s Department of
   Psychiatry.
   -

   Support groups for students with shared concerns
   -

   Referrals to CVPH Medical Center for immediate mental health crises.
   -

   Ongoing outreach, seminars, activities and presentations by Counseling
   staff that include first-year seminars, therapy dog visits, processing
   spaces in the HUB, a Wellness Week, student staff crisis training
   workshops, and a depression screening event.


We will also be able to broaden our continuum of mental health services to
individualize care, allow for quicker response times, and address more
complex psychological and psychiatric needs.

Several newly added services and resources this semester will include:


   -

   Contract for tele-counseling and after-hours crisis counseling
   -

   Contract for expanded services from a local mental health service
   provider agency on our campus
   -

   Contract for per diem services to be utilized during peak times at the
   end of each semester
   -

   Mental health professional development for University Police and SHCC
   staff
   -

   ACHA membership that provides us with access to best practices resources
   -

   Wellness Programming Graduate Assistant
   -

   Wellness Peer Educator Program
   -

   Outreach Activities including Zen Zones, Fireside Fridays, Outdoor Movie
   Series,
   -

   Wellbeing Speaker Series and Self-Care Programming
   -

   Enhancements to the Yoga/Meditation Room and the Interfaith Space within
   our residence halls
   -

   Enhancements to the SHCC waiting space to make it more comfortable for
   students
   -

   Enhancements to spaces in the ACC focused on student relaxation and
   gathering space for students to have fun together


I encourage you to reach out to the Counseling Center 518-564-2187 or
healthcenter at plattsburgh.edu to access any of the services and take
advantage of all that is in place to ensure your success and wellbeing here
on campus. Whether you are facing an immediate crisis, seeking longer-term
help, or interested in preventive options to keep yourself on track, you
will find a variety of options to meet your needs and connect with
professionals who are committed to helping you.

While I am proud of SUNY Plattsburgh's identity as a destination campus of
academic excellence, I also recognize that this is home to so many of you.
In addition to attending classes and focusing on your studies, this is the
place where you will live, work, and seek a sense of community and
belonging. As part of our shared commitment to prioritizing student
success, we will continue to invest in the full spectrum of student health
and wellness, by providing accessible services and resources at no
additional cost. Because, more than anything, SUNY Plattsburgh is a campus
that values and supports all students at every point along their journey.

I wish you all a fulfilling and productive semester ahead!

Sincerely,

Alexander Enyedi

President
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