United Against Racism and Intolerance

BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

UNITED AGAINST

RACISM AND

INTOLERANCE

The Center for Health, Wellness and Personal Counseling

By the Dean of Student Services, Dean Jennifer Reyes & B.C.C.’s Personal Counseling June 2020

To our community, friends and change agents, As we are all aware, our country has been confronted with the senseless death of George Floyd. As the Floyd family grieves, we as a nation must come together to confront racism, inequality, and injustice.

Clearly, this moment must be different. Times such as this require us to demonstrate who we are. It requires a commitment to fundamental change. It’s no longer enough to say we can do better, it is the time to be better. As always, we will stand united with one voice.

We reject any, and all acts of racism and bigotry. Whether subtle or overt, our community will never tolerate racism, inequality, nor the marginalization of others. We will continue to pursue avenues to strengthen our commitment to those values.

I know that many of our students will participate in this moment of change, and let their voices be heard.

Together you can, and will, be the agents of change. Our administration and faculty will continue to collaborate and dialogue with student groups. Together we will be better. We will work to make meaningful, enduring, and much needed change.

Given the emotion that our entire nation is feeling right now, please know that we care. As always, the social, emotional, and psychological well-being of all students is our primary concern. Our counselors are here to listen, support, and validate any and all concerns that students are feeling right now. Please do not hesitate to reach out.

With respect, kindness and well wishes, Dean Jennifer Reyes and the Personal Counseling Department at B.C.C.

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Mental Health Resources Bergen Community College Personal Counseling Email: Personalcounseling@bergen.edu Phone: 201-447-9257 Office Hours Mon-Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM Dean Jennifer Reyes, jreyes@bergen.edu Personal Counselors Eileen Purcell, MSW, LCSW, epurcell@bergen.edu Stafford Barton, PhD, LPC, sbarton@bergen.edu Cristina Haedo, MSW, chaedo@bergen.edu John Giamo, LPC, jgiamo@bergen.edu Randy Dodd, MSW, LCSW, rdodd1@bergen.edu Lois Carmichael, MSW, LCSW, lcarmichael@bergen.edu Jessica Peacock, MSW, LCSW, jpeacock@bergen.edu READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE ______________________________________________________________________________________

Off Campus Mental Health Resources For life threatening emergencies go to your local ER or call 911 immediately NJ HOPE 24/7 LINE: 1-855-654-6735 NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION 24/7 HOTLINE: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line Text CONNECT to 741741 NAMI HelpLine 1-800-950-NAMI Trevor Project 866-488-7386 or text TREVOR to 1 (202) 304-1200 Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare: 201-646-0195 (no insurance needed) SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline 1-877-726-4727

How to Select a Provider Using Your Insurance

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Retrieved from https://www.montclair.edu/counseling-and-psychological-services/how-to-select-a-provider-using-insurance/

Step 1. Find Your Insurance Card If you do not have your card, ask your parent or guardian to text you a photo of the front and back of the card.

Step 2. Call Your Insurance Company Call the number on your card for mental health services. The phone number is likely on the back of your card and may be listed under ‘behavioral health services’.

Step 3. Get Information about Your Benefits After dialing the mental health services phone number, you will speak with a representative from your insurance company. They will ask you to verify some information to ensure that you are the individual covered by the insurance plan. When they ask why you are calling you can say, “I want to find out what my benefits will cover for outpatient counseling.”

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Some insurance plans require a payment for each visit you make to a provider. Ask how much you will pay per session; this is called a “co-pay”. Some insurance plans have an amount that you have to pay out of your pocket first; this is called a “deductible.” Once you pay that amount your insurance company will cover part or all of your visit depending on your coverage.

Step 4. Find In-Network Providers Ask your insurance company for assistance with finding a mental health provider. If you are looking for someone to talk with, ask for a list of in-network clinicians (Counselors and/or Psychologists). If you are looking for someone who can prescribe medication, ask for a list of in-network Psychiatrists or Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses.

Step 5. Call Providers Start by calling one or two of the providers on the list you were given by your insurance company. You may need to call more than one, if the first provider doesn’t return your call within 24-48 hours. If you need a clinician and a Psychiatrist, you will need to call people from both lists. Providers almost never pick up the phone due to being in session during the day. You will need to leave a message with your name, phone number, and a good time to reach you. Be sure to speak clearly and slowly in the message and say your phone number twice.

When you leave a message or talk to the provider, ask if they are accepting new clients, tell them what kind of insurance you have, and say something about what has been bothering you that has led you to call them. Make sure that your voicemail is set-up and able to accept new messages. If a provider is not able to leave a message, you may not know they called. Most providers won’t email or text to set-up an initial appointment, so talking to them on the phone is necessary. If you are unsure how to proceed, you can call B.C.C.’s Personal Counseling (201-447-9257) who will assist in the process.

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Identifying Roles in Social Change

By B.C.C.’s Personal Counseling June 2020 Students can become aware of the roles they play and their organizations are playing in the larger social movement. Each of us has a set or variables and characteristics that can lead the way to identifying what works for us. Our differences in demographics and privilege will be defining traits to look at how we can mobilize in order to use our individual and collective voice to amplify the message of justice, change and respect. Each role has different purposes, styles, skills, and needs and can be played effectively or ineffectively. The images and text quote included highlight questions to get thoughts rolling in how you might see yourself.

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Action Steps in Creating Social Change

By B.C.C.’s Personal Counseling June 2020 If you would like to discuss action steps to create social change at B.C.C. please contact any of the following:

The Office of Student Life Phone: (201) 447-7215 Email: studentlife@bergen.edu

Staff Gregory Fenkart, Coordinator of Student Development Joli Nelson, Department Secretary Nicole Babington, Senior Secretary Jared Farra, Student Life Generalist Matthew Biggiani, Student Leadership Commons Generalist ______________________________________________________________________________________

Bergen Community College Personal Counseling Email: Personalcounseling@bergen.edu Phone: 201-447-9257 Office Hours Mon-Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM Dean Jennifer Reyes, jreyes@bergen.edu Personal Counselors Eileen Purcell, MSW, LCSW, epurcell@bergen.edu Stafford Barton, PhD, LPC, sbarton@bergen.edu Cristina Haedo, MSW, chaedo@bergen.edu John Giamo, LPC, jgiamo@bergen.edu Randy Dodd, MSW, LCSW, rdodd1@bergen.edu Lois Carmichael, MSW, LCSW, lcarmichael@bergen.edu Jessica Peacock, MSW, LCSW, jpeacock@bergen.edu

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Emotional Wellbeing

By B.C.C.’s Personal Counseling June 2020 It is common that during times of violence, protest and social unrest, to experience a spectrum of reactions including but not limited to anxiety, sadness, anger, grief and/or despair. Some may worry that the violence or injustice will further spread to directly their loved ones, while others may have more existential worries about their communities recovering and the future of our community and world.

With this said, it is important to know your limits and reach out for help to talk to a professional.

Bergen Community College Personal Counseling Personal Counseling Contact Information Email: Personalcounseling@bergen.edu Phone: 201-447-9257 Office Hours Mon-Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM ______________________________________________________________________________________

Self Care Apps

By B.C.C.’s Personal Counseling June 2020 • • • • • • • •

Shine Insight Timer

Headspace Calm Pacifica Relax Melodies: Sleep Sounds. Relax Melodies Breathing Zone. Breathing Zone Happify.

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