April 21, 2025
It's always good to remember all of the resources Yale has in place to provide you with mental health and wellness support. Please remember that we are here to support you at OISS, so please contact us if and when you need us, and we can, at the very least, guide you to the appropriate resource on campus.
- Any students in need of support can contact Mental Health and Counseling at Yale Health, where assistance is available around the clock. The telephone number is (203) 432-0290 during business hours and for urgent concerns after hours. Faculty and staff can find information about Yale’s Employee Assistance Program at Yale Signature Benefits | It’s Your Yale.
- The Chaplain’s Office (Old Campus, Bingham Hall, Entryway D; (203) 432-1128), Yale Religious Ministries and the Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale, (80 Wall Street; (203) 432-9419) are among the resources available to all members of our community.
- The Yale College Community Care (YC3) team is available for undergraduate students.
- The Good Life Center is Yale's wellness space that offers programming, support, and a physical space to unwind and relax.
- We (OISS) are open at 421 Temple Street or by phone at (203) 432-2305 to anyone who needs support and we are here for you.
Below are several ddditional resources to support mental and emotional well-being. They are free and confidential, and enrollment in the university's medical plans is not required to access them.
Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (Yale’s employee assistance program)
Highlights include:
Short-term support for a challenging life event or everyday concern.
- Up to six counseling sessions per issue—24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Staff, faculty, postdoctoral associates, postdoctoral fellows, and Local 33 PhD graduate students can schedule a virtual or in-person session with Yale’s dedicated consultants, Dr. Amy Sceery and Rebecca Colasanto.
- You and your household members can also access a wide network of Optum providers by calling 866-416-6586 or visiting Optum’s website.
- Create an anonymous username. No password is required.
Talkspace, an online therapy service that connects you to a dedicated, licensed therapist
- Engage with a licensed therapist, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through voice, or virtual video message.
- Call 866-416-6586 to obtain a one-time authorization code prior to registering.
Free premium membership for the Calm app
- Stress relief, better sleep, and mindful living through guided sessions, mindfulness tools, breathing exercises, music, and quick courses.
- Visit the Calm registration page and enter the company access code “YaleSB”.
- If you already have the app:
- Go to: Profile > Settings > Link Organization Subscription
- Enter organization code “Optum EWS”
- In the group code field, enter your company access code “YaleSB”
Virtual Behavioral Coaching
- Utilizes the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and provides self-paced support to help manage symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety.
- The eight-week structured program delivers a tailored path to help build coping skills with the help of a dedicated coach.
- Go to Optum’s website, and create an anonymous username.
- Go to “Schedule” -> “Schedule a no-cost virtual behavioral coaching session.”
Explore Optum’s website to discover their full range of offerings, including additional self-care and caregiving resources.
