COVID-19 Psych Services Q&A and Resources

How will Psychological services be offered during the Fall 2020 term?

Whether you are on-campus during the Fall Term 2020 or are studying remotely in Vermont, another state, or internationally, ALL mental health services offered through Psychological Services at Bennington College—including crisis intervention, triage appointments, individual psychotherapy, groups, psychiatric/medication appointments—will be offered remotely through live video conferencing and/or telephone.

Psychological Services is providing services in a remote-only way to meet the Vermont safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic and to protect the health and safety of Bennington College students and staff.  

Research suggests that mental health services that are provided remotely through video and/or phone can be as effective as in-person services.  That said, for some students who present with severe symptoms, telemental health services may not be appropriate and a higher level of care or different service delivery is necessary.  In these situations, the clinician will work together with the student to help them get the type of care they need.

What services will Psychological Services provide during the Fall 2020 term?

ALL students, whether studying on campus or remotely, can access and participate in psychoeducation and support group offerings as well as skills workshops. A schedule of these groups and offerings will be posted on the Psychological Services website.  

Students who are on-campus can access individual psychotherapy and psychiatric services through Psychological Services by calling Lori Willis at 802-440-4426 or sending an email to healthservices@bennington.edu

State laws require that clinicians providing mental health services be licensed in the state in which the client is located. Although some states have temporarily changed their licensing regulations during the COVID-19 emergency in order to help clinicians provide continuity of care to their clients who may have relocated to a different state due to the pandemic, these regulations continue to change and differ from state to state.  

As a result of state laws and licensing regulations, students who are off-campus studying remotely (off-campus in Vermont, another state, or internationally) are asked to contact Psychological Services by calling Lori Willis at 802-440-4426 or sending an email to healthservices@bennington.edu to speak with a therapist about possible options for psychological support either through Bennington College Psychological Services or through mental health providers in the student’s geographical location. We will assist students in finding appropriate mental health resources wherever they are located.

How do remote mental health services work?

Once a student contacts Psychological Services by phone or email for services, they will work with the Health Center administrative assistant, Lori Willis, for scheduling and completion of clinic paperwork. When a student has an appointment set up, the clinician with whom they will meet for a telemedicine appointment will send the student an internet link (to http://bennington.doxy.me) via email with instructions to log into the “waiting room” prior to the scheduled appointment. 

Psychological Service staff are meeting with students for triage, telepsychotherapy, and telepsychiatry appointments using the telemedicine service provider Doxy.me. The interactive electronic systems used by Doxy.me incorporate network and software security protocols that meet industry and privacy standards to protect the confidentiality of patient information and audio/visual data in compliance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). These protocols include measures to safeguard the data and to aid in protecting against intentional or unintentional corruption. 

Psychoeducation groups, support groups, and skills workshops offerings by Psychological Services will be held using the Zoom platform offered through Bennington College.   

What if I need a private space to go to on-campus that is not my room?

If you have an appointment with Psychological Services staff and need a private space, please contact Student Life. They will help you get set up with a space for you to have your Psych Services appointment.  

What if I don’t have a working computer or device in order to log into my remote appointment?

If you need a working computer to log into your appointment, please contact Student Life. They will help you get set up with a space and device for you to have your Psych Services appointment.

Is there a fee for services offered by Psychological Services? And how do I pay if there is?

Psychoeducation, support, and skills groups are free to any enrolled student whether they are on or off-campus.   

Students who are on-campus or off-campus and who are new to Psychological Services will be scheduled for a 30 minute triage appointment with a staff clinician to help determine the types of support that might be beneficial to the student. Triage appointments are free.

Students who are on-campus and want to receive psychotherapy or psychiatric services through Psychological Services at Bennington, should contact their health insurance company to confirm that telemental health visits—telepsychotherapy, telepsychiatry—are covered. Mental health services provided by Psychological Services to students will be billed to the student’s health insurance and/or the student directly.

Students who are off-campus and out of state, should contact their health insurance to confirm if telemental health visits—telepsychotherapy, telepsychiatry—are covered and if the coverage extends to providers who are not located in the same state as the student.  

Students should call or email Lori Willis, Health Center administrative assistant at 802-440-4426 or healthservices@bennington.edu to make arrangements for payment of health insurance co-pays or account balances over the phone or electronically. If you need to come in person to the Health Center to pay in cash, we ask that you call or email Lori to make an appointment to do so in order to maintain social distancing guidelines.  

What other mental health resources are available?

Whether you are a student who is staying on campus, are off campus in Vermont, your home state or your home country, or are sheltering in another place away from home, please read below to see how you can access free or low cost mental health resources and crisis resources. There are some resources that are offered in multiple languages.  

Local Bennington Area Mental Health Resources for anyone (on or off campus) to access: (with health insurance)

National and International Crisis Lines

  • National (US) Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
  • International Suicide Hotlines (country guide): http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html
  • IASP - International Crisis Centers (world wide listing of crisis hotlines): https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/
  • The Trevor Project (LGBTQ Suicide Hotline): 1-866-488-7386
  • The Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
  • Students of Color Crisis Text Line: text STEVE to 741741
  • Project Against Violent Encounters (national): 1-800-799-7233
  • Project Against Violent Encounters (local): 1-802-442-2111
  • Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990, Text “TalkWithUs” to 66746
  • National Eating Disorders Helpline: 1-800-931-2237, for 24/7 crisis support, text 'NEDA' to 741741
  • Crisis Text Line: Text "START" TO 741-741
  • Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255 (press 1) or send a text message to 838255

Warm Lines 

A warm line is a free service that people can access by telephone to get emotional support that can help prevent a crisis and to get mental health resources.

  • National Directory of Warm Lines 
     
  • Pathways Vermont - (833) 888-2557, available 24/7
    The Vermont Support line is a free, anonymous resource for all Vermonters who are looking for someone to talk to. The Support Line is staffed by individuals who acknowledge that they have experienced a broad range of struggles of their own and are willing to be open about them.​
     
  • NAMI HelpLine  (800) 950-6264, available Monday-Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
    The NAMI HelpLine is a free, nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals and support to people living with mental health conditions, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. HelpLine staff and volunteers are experienced, well-trained and able to provide guidance.
     
  • LGBT National Youth Talkline 800-246-7743, Mondays to Fridays from 1:00-9:00 pm Pacific Standard Time (PST), Saturday from 9:00 am-2:00 pm PST
    Free and confidential peer support for the LGBTQ and questioning community ages 25 and younger.

Mental Health Resources

  • New York State—Office of Mental Health
    Mental Health Resources (for residents and non-residents of New York)
     
  • NYC Well
    Free digital mental health resources for everyone
     
  • Mental Health Resource Hub
    Free mental health resource hub to address mental health needs during the COVID-19 crisis
     
  • Greater Good Science 
    Free wellbeing resources during the coronavirus pandemic
     
  • Therapy Assistance Online
    Free mindfulness exercises to help you manage anxiety and worry 
     
  • Headspace
    Free meditations to help you manage uncertainty.
     
  • Real
    Free online groups 
     
  • COVID Grief Network 
    Free one-on-one support from a volunteer grief worker 
     
  • Kip Therapy (NY) 
    Free, online groups sessions for those who are most psychologically vulnerable to the impact of Covid-19. Additionally, new clients can receive up to two months of live video therapy sessions at a significantly lower cost.
     
  • 7 cups
    Free online chat for emotional support and counseling. Also offers fee-for-service online therapy with a licensed mental health professional. Website and service also offered in languages other than English. 
     
  • 18percent
    Free, peer-to-peer online support community for people experiencing a range of mental health issues. Offers online mental health resources, quizzes, news, “ask the therapist” and online support communities 
     
  • Emotions Anonymous
    Nonprofessional group focusing on emotional well-being in in-person and online weekly meetings 
     
  • For Like Minds
    Online mental health support network for people are living with or supporting someone with experiencing mental health conditions, substance use disorders or stressful life events 
     
  • Supportgroups.com
    Listings of online support groups 
     
  • Support Group Central
    Virtual support groups on various mental health conditions. Free or low-cost. Website also offered in languages other than English. 
     
  • The Tribe Wellness Community
    Free, online peer support groups. Include focused groups: addiction, anxiety, depression, HIV/AIDS, LGBT, marriage/family, OCD and teens.

Mental Health Resources in Multiple Languages