The Macaulay Mental Health and Wellness Center provides multiculturally sensitive counseling within a nonjudgmental, objective, safe space so that students from all walks of life can openly discuss their concerns. We aim to provide a purposeful counseling experience for you, and the number of sessions provided will be adapted to your needs.
We offer the following free and confidential services both virtual and in-person.
- Individual counseling
- Workshops and Groups
- Crisis intervention
- Referral to outside resources
- Consultation for alumni, faculty, and staff
Counselors are available for virtual assistance during business hours Monday through Friday, with some limited evening availability.
Email wellness@mhc.cuny.edu to ask a question or schedule a consultation with the staff.
Wellness Staff remain available through email and will respond to inquiries within the business day, however due to staff being in sessions, there may be a delay in response of up to one hour.
- Free, confidential, 24-7 crisis text messaging. Text CUNY to 741741
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
How do I know if I should contact the Wellness Center?
Common concerns that students experience include anxiety, stress, worries about academic performance, depression, procrastination, substance use, relationship/family problems. Every student who comes to the Wellness Center is unique and would define their issues/concerns differently. Some students identify very clearly a specific issue that they want to resolve or at least change in a positive direction, and others might come with more of a general dissatisfaction or frustration with regard to something happening in their lives (or something that happened in the past). If you’re considering coming contacting us, please do!
What happens in a consultation?
You will meet with a Wellness Center staff member to discuss your concerns and which options/services may be of the best support to you. This could include meeting with Wellness Center staff regularly for ongoing counseling, attending groups/workshops hosted by the Wellness Center, and/or getting connected to mental health and wellness providers in your community. Wellness Center staff can also help you to address any immediate concerns or come up with a short-term plan to address the stressors that are happening in the moment.
What if I just want to talk to someone, but I’m unsure about ongoing services?
Consultations are available to all in the Macaulay community, including students, alumni, faculty, and staff. This could include getting general recommendations about wellness practices and resources, discussing your concerns and working out a way for you to move forward on your own, and/or getting support around getting connected with a mental health provider in your community.
How many sessions do I get and how long are they?
If ongoing services with the Wellness Center are determined as the best way to support you, you will meet with your dedicated counselor at the Wellness Center for 40 minutes, on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The number of sessions will be adapted to your individual goals. We see each break between semesters as an opportunity to consider progress towards your goals and adapt our work together as necessary. Overall, we want your time with the Wellness Center to be a purposeful and productive experience.
What does “confidential” mean?
We understand that privacy and confidentiality are important to the counseling experience. In general, your involvement (sessions, goals, consults, etc.) with the Wellness Center remains protected and confidential within the Wellness Center team. Counseling records are kept separate from academic records and we are happy to collaborate with any other providers or CUNY staff upon your request and permission. Additional details will be provided in your consultation meeting with Wellness Center staff; please feel free to ask any questions or discuss any concerns regarding confidentiality at that time.
What do I need to know to get started, especially as services are online?
The Wellness Center is providing all services via Zoom, a HIPAA-compliant and confidential telehealth platform. Staff of the Wellness Center will continue to safeguard your privacy and confidentiality just as if we were meeting in person. We recommend that you attend your teletherapy sessions in a room with privacy and with minimal interruptions, as we want to work to together to create a digital space that is both welcoming and confidential. To make an appointment or learn more about our services, please email wellness@mhc.cuny.edu
