COVID-19: Know and Care

The McSilver Institute is providing online resources relating to the ongoing COVID-19 (caused by the novel coronavirus) pandemic, in order to aid practicing professionals, researchers, and other members of our community searching for reliable and relevant information. If you have any questions or submissions, please contact mcsilver@nyu.edu. Keep checking this page daily or follow #COVID19KnowCare on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Online Trainings from McSilver and Our Partners

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Technical Assistance Center of New York (CTAC) is sharing a collection of past trainings, from CTAC and other training and technical assistance partners, designed to help caregivers, behavioral health professionals, and others who work in mental health services or with vulnerable populations. CTAC is co-directed by the NYU McSilver Institute.
See All of the Trainings

Early Childhood Resources

The NYC Early Childhood Mental Health Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) provides training and technical assistance to mental health professionals serving children 0-5 and their families in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) funded Early Childhood Therapeutic Centers (ECTCs) as well as professionals working in New York City outpatient mental health clinics, early intervention, Universal Pre-K and ACS Early Learn sites and other child-serving systems. TTAC has curated the following resources for providers of social services to children and families.

Tips for Families: Coronavirus
Zero to Three’s resource page offer tips for families including age-appropriate responses to common questions, a guide to self-care, and activities for young children experiencing social distancing.

Telehealth Service in Infant Mental Health Home Visiting
Zero to Three in collaboration with Michigan Medicine University of Michigan, Alliance for for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health, Starfish Family Services and Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health released a resource document featuring tips on emotional support, developmental guidance, and more.

Sesame Street’s Caring for Each Other Initiative
In response to the unprecedented uncertainty facing young children and families, the Caring for Each Other initiative marks the beginning of a commitment from Sesame Workshop to support families during the COVID-19 health crisis with a broad variety of free resources.

Stress, Resilience and the Role of Science: Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic
Dr. Jack P. Shonkoff, the Director of the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University, released a statement discussing the role science can play and suggesting many additional resources for the early childhood community.

Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) released a parent/caregiver guide that highlights family preparedness, coping with stress, and strategies to help children cope.

Resources to Help Families during COVID-19 from Fred Rogers Productions
This page contains a list of all of the virtual events, activities, and other social initiatives shared online by Fred Rogers Productions.

The NYU Community

For official updates on university policy and procedures, see NYU’s page regarding the current status of COVID-19 and its impact on the university community. Currently, most administrative and academic functions are taking place remotely for the duration of the Spring 2020 term, and NYU IT can assist with a variety of tools for teleworking.

Official Public Health Information

The most accurate health-related information will come directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO). This could include information as diverse as travel advisories or hand-washing and sanitation guidelines. Start here with the CDC.

New York City Resources

For New York City residents, the NYC Department of Health is a key resource for COVID-19 guidance and updates, with information about citywide closures, as well as useful tips to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. To receive immediate alerts on mobile devices, consider signing up for Notify NYC, the city’s official source for emergency information.

If you are finding it tough to cope right now and need to talk to someone, reach out to NYC Well to talk, text or chat with a mental health counselor. It’s free and confidential. Their website also contains a mental wellness app library and lists additional services you can use.

The New York Public Library also maintains a complete list of resources targeted at New Yorkers.

General Mental Health and Wellness

New York State has set up a special COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline. Anyone experiencing mental or emotional distress related to the coronavirus emergency can call 1-844-863-9314 between 8:00AM and 10:00PM, 7 days a week.

Behavioral Heath Providers in New York State

A roundup of resources (current as of March 17) has been compiled by a McSilver partner organization, the Managed Care Technical Assistance Center of New York (MCTAC). Many essential guidance documents have been released by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), including special directives concerning telemedicine. In addition to OMH, an important state agency to consult is SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which offers resources for providing services in times of disasters, including a Disaster Distress Hotline.

Children, Youth and Education

NYC Schools are affected by COVID-19, with remote learning being adopted through at least April 20, and grab-and-go meals are available at schools. For more updates and specific details, check the NYC Department of Education page on COVID-19 updates. The New York Public library also has a list of digital resources for kids and parents, to help facilitate learning while school buildings are closed.

The 2020 Census

Now is a great time for everyone to complete the census online, by phone or in the mail; and to encourage friends and loved ones to do the same. An accurate count is vital to research, state funding, and making sure every community gets its fair share of resources and representation. Check the Census Bureau website for any updates relating to COVID-19.

Staying Informed

With so much information spreading rapidly, it’s important to prevent the spread of misinformation. If you are consuming media online, consider limiting the amount of time you spend seeking out news (using a service like Notify NYC for urgent updates), and follow established news outlets like your local NPR affiliate. The New York Times has suspended its paywall for content related to COVID-19.

Most of all, take some time to consider people most vulnerable to the coronavirus or economic disruption, and how you could check on or support at-risk people in your life. The McSilver Institute shares sympathy and hopes with all first responders and frontline healthcare workers, people with chronic health conditions, people without access to stable housing, incarcerated people, migrants, students, older individuals, infrastructure and municipal employees, gig workers and those burdened with food insecurity or hunger, among others.