Stay Safe this Holiday Season:
NYC is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases as we head into the holiday weekend.

Help prevent the spread of COVID-19 at holiday gatherings by planning around your most vulnerable family member. If you had planned to celebrate with people who are unvaccinated or at increased risk for severe illness, consider changing your plans. Instead, consider:

• Hosting a virtual party
• Moving activities outdoors
• Using masks, same-day tests, and physical distancing

No matter how you celebrate, remember to:

Get Vaccinated:
Data from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene show that many more unvaccinated people are currently hospitalized than vaccinated people. While breakthrough infections can happen, your risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death decrease significantly after getting vaccinated. Learn more.

NYC recommends boosters for any adult who is fully vaccinated. Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 booster shots have so far provided enhanced protection against both infection and disease related to Omicron. To encourage more New Yorkers to receive their boosters, NYC is offering a $100 incentive to anyone who gets a COVID-19 booster at a City-run vaccination site by December 31. Learn more.

Vaccines are available for anyone 5 and older. Visit nyc.gov/vaccinefinder to find a vaccination site near you.

Wear a Mask:
Wear a face mask in public indoor spaces or in crowded outdoor spaces. All New Yorkers should consider wearing two masks or upgrading from a cloth mask to a higher grade KN95 or N95 mask. 

Get Tested:
New Yorkers should get tested for COVID-19: 

• if you have symptoms (please stay at home until you learn your test results)
• five days after having close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
• before and after attending a gathering
• three to five days after traveling

Learn more and find a location near you. 

Pick Up an At-Home Test Kit: 
At-home Binax COVID-19 testing kits are being handed out at the following sites. 

• BRONX: Soundview, Corner of Morrison Ave and Westchester Ave, 10472
• BROOKLYN: Bensonhurst, Corner of 18th Ave and 65th St, 11204
• MANHATTAN: Masaryk Towers, 75, Columbia Street, 10002
• QUEENS: Corona, Corner of 37th Ave and Junction Blvd, 11368
• STATEN ISLAND: Conference House Park, Corner of Hylan Blvd and Satterlee St

Free at-home test kits are also available at City-run COVID19 testing sites. Learn more.

Stay Home if You Have to:
Stay home if you are not feeling well, recently tested positive for COVID-19, or were recently exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Update from the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System:
Due to the rise in the omicron variant of COVID, the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System is temporarily suspending all visitation to our facilities, with the exception of visitation for patients imminently dying.

The holidays can be a challenging time for veterans experiencing isolation, PTSD, or who are transitioning to civilian life. The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) connects veterans to services and resources that can help them manage mental and behavioral health challenges. To get connected, fill out the form at VetConnectNYC.org and select “Mental/Behavioral Health” as your preferred service.

Veterans Crisis Line provides crisis support to veterans and their supporters. If you or your loved one is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 or text to 838255 to speak with a specialist 24/7. Learn more at veteranscrisisline.net.

Please review the following resources if you feel you need additional support this holiday season:

• NYC Well offers free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services:

Hours: 24/7
Phone: 888-NYC-WELL (or text WELL to 65173)

• NY Project Hope provides support for those struggling with life during the pandemic:

Hours: Mon - Sun | 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Phone: 844-863-9314

• VA Women Veterans Call Center provides support to women veterans:

Hours: Mon - Fri | 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sat | 8:00 am - 6:30 pm
Phone: 855-829-6636 (call or text)

• VA Caregiver Support Line provides support to caregivers and connects them to a Caregiver Support Team/Coordinator at a local VA Medical Center:

Hours: Mon - Fri | 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sat | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Phone: 855-260-3274

See below for a list of cost-free counseling services available to veterans:

• NYU Steven Cohen Family Center provides free care for veterans and military families who are experiencing the long-term effects of military service:

1 Park Ave
New York, NY,10016
Hours of Operation: Mon - Thurs | 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Fri | 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Phone: 855-698-4677
Email: militaryfamilyclinic@nyulangone.org

• New York-Presbyterian Military Family Wellness Center offers individual therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, telehealth, and virtual reality therapy:

The New York-Presbyterian Military Family Wellness Center provides services at three locations:

The Program for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Studies:
25 East 61st St
Floor PH, Room 1301
New York, NY 10065
Hours of Operation: Mon - Fri | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (evening appointments may be available)
Phone: 212-821-0783
Email: mae2050@med.cornell.edu

New York-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center:
21 Bloomingdale Rd
3A South, Room 420
White Plains, NY 10605
Hours of Operation: Mon - Fri | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (evening appointments may be available)
Phone: 212-821-0783
Email: mae2050@med.cornell.edu

PTSD Research and Treatment Program:
Herbert Pardes Building
1051 Riverside Drive, Suite 3200
New York, NY 10032
Hours of Operation: Mon, Wed, Fri | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tues, Thurs | 9:00 am - 7:30 pm
Phone: 646-774-8142
Email: caroline.marohasy@nyspi.columbia.edu

• Trauma and Resiliency Resources (TRR) provides behavioral health services for combat veterans and administers the Warrior Camp, a weeklong, intensive, residential suicide prevention and trauma resolution program:

26 West 9th St, Ste 5-E
New York, NY 10011
Phone: 855- 877-4968
Email: support@trrhelp.org

• Headstrong matches veterans with a therapist:

Email: info@getheadstrong.org

• Stop Soldier Suicide connects veterans with a Wellness Coordinator who provides personalized attention and develops wellness plans:

• Northwell Health Mildred and Frank Feinberg Division of the Unified Behavioral Health Center for Military Veterans and their Families offers compassionate, evidence-based care to the families of veterans struggling with conditions related to military service:

132 East Main St
1st Floor
Bay Shore, NY 11706
Hours of Operation: Mon - Fri | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Phone: 631-647-2530

*Please note: Northwell Health counseling services are not free but they accept most insurances. When scheduling your appointment, please confirm your insurance plan is accepted.

• Download VA’s Self-Help Apps includes apps to manage PTSD and MST, as well as apps to help deal with common reactions like stress, sadness, and anxiety. 

• VA Mental Health Services Guide helps veterans sign up and access mental health services.

• MakeTheConnection.net provides information, resources, and videos for challenging life events and experiences with mental health issues.

• Vets4Warriors provides veterans, family members, and caregivers with 24/7 help from a confidential peer support network. Receive immediate, free, and long-term peer support through private chats, emails, phone, and text conversations.

• Objective Zero app gives veterans access to mental health resources and a peer support network.

• RallyPoint is a social network for and about service members and veterans and provides peer counseling.

• Together We Served is an online platform to reconnect with old service friends and share service stories.

• American Red Cross Military Veteran Caregiver Network connects military caregivers to peers and support groups.

• Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes Community (HHCC) is an online support group that offers a positive place for military caregivers of all eras to connect with one another.

• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) connects survivors to a national peer support network and grief resources.

• Veteran Wellness Alliance connects veterans to peer networks that provide support and social connection.

• Mission: VetCheck connects veterans to their fellow New Yorkers. Volunteers make supportive check-in calls to NYC veterans. Mission: VetCheck volunteers reach out to veterans experiencing social isolation to provide information on essential public services, COVID-19 testing and vaccine information, and online mental health resources.

• Episode 1: Stories of the Black Veteran Experience Across Generations 
• Episode 2: Black Post 9/11 Veterans 
• Episode 3: Black Woman. Veteran. (In that Order)