Dear Hotchkiss Community,
 
The Counseling Department is here for you as we continue to face the COVID-19 global health crisis. We want to extend our thoughts and support as together we navigate through this difficult time. We fully realize the impact it may have on mental health, and understand in uncertain and stressful times, many of us crave connection with one another. 

We are sad, as we imagine you might be, not to be on campus and having in-person contact together. At this time, while we are unable to serve as your primary mental health care providers, we are available to consult with both students and parents/guardians through solution-focused conversations. Our practice will be consistent in the ways we support students off-campus during School breaks, summer vacation, and studying abroad. We remain available to help establish local care and speak with providers to ensure continuity of care during this transition.

If you have an on-going relationship with one of our counselors and were scheduled to resume counseling sessions in the spring, please anticipate hearing directly from your counselor in the coming days. Please also feel free to reach out to us at any point, too.

If you have an on-going relationship with Dr. Miller, our consulting psychiatrist, and have any questions or concerns about current care, please email him at jmiller@hotchkiss.org .

Many of us will likely experience strong feelings at various times and for various reasons due to COVID-19. Remember, everyone reacts differently to stress, and all reactions are normal.   We have put together a list of resources that you may find helpful during this time.  

That being said, if you are experiencing a mental health crisis, PLEASE utilize one of the following resources. With the closure of the Health Center, we will not be maintaining our typical 24/7 crisis coverage. Please DO NOT email a Hotchkiss counselor, because we may not see it for several hours.
  • Call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to disasters and infectious disease outbreaks .
  • Call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, Text the Crisis Text Line--text Talk or HOME to 741741 
  • Call 911 
Please contact us via email with any questions you have. We care about you and your communities and are right with you, practicing acceptance and skills as we weather this situation. It is also a good opportunity to take care of ourselves and practice mindfulness , relaxation , and radical acceptance

Take care,

Jodi von Jess, LCSW
Director of Counseling

Jodi von Jess:   jvonjess@hotchkiss.org
Diane Dillon: ddillon@hotchkiss.org
Kristen Lazarus: klazarus@hotchkiss.org
Christina Miranda; cmiranda@hotchkiss.org
Jonathan Wilson: jwilson@hotchkiss.org

Resources
 
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The Hotchkiss School , 11 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, CT 06039-2141,  (860) 435-2591