Mental health well-being and substance use resources and support during the holiday season

With the holiday season upon us, and the end of the year fast approaching, Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) would like to remind the community of resources available to support your mental health well-being.

While the holiday season may be a time of celebration, joy and festive activities for many, for others it is a time of year that brings feelings of sadness, grief, loneliness, and stress – and for those already impacted by mental health conditions or substance use, those symptoms are even more exacerbated. According to a survey conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 64% of respondents with a mental illness reported having worsened symptoms during the holiday months. If you or someone you know are experiencing new or worsening symptoms that are overwhelming and difficult to manage, it is important to know where to go to seek support.

Resources are available in our community, 24/7. Our Mobile Crisis Team and CARE Team (co-response law enforcement and mental health services) are available on evenings, weekends and holidays, and can be reached by calling 911 or 988.

If you are experiencing problems with mental health and want to get help now, come to our office at 201 E. Green Street (Ithaca) for Open Access Hours to begin treatment as soon as you walk into our building. Open Access Hours are walk-in, first come first served, and allow you to begin the intake process and see a clinician, no appointment needed. Open Access Hours take place on:

• Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
• Wednesdays from 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM

In addition to our primary location at 201 E. Green St., downtown Ithaca, TCWH now offers mental health clinical appointments at our 55 Brown Rd. office in Northeast Ithaca, offering free on-site parking, brand new construction and first floor, accessible meeting spaces. Clinicians from both the Adult and Children/Youth teams can meet with clients at this location. Call to schedule an appointment at this location: 607-274-6200.

Learn more about Tompkins County Whole Health’s Mental Health Services online at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Whole-Health/Mental-Health-Services

Emergency and crisis contacts for 24-hour help 

If you or someone you know needs to speak with a mental health professional:

• For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, DIAL 988 (1-800-273-8255)
  • Veterans: dial 988 and Press 1 or text 838255

Visit www.veteranscrisisline.net for online chat and more 

• Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 741-741 
• Ithaca’s Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service hotline, 1-607-272-1616

This time of year also provides an opportunity to raise awareness of drug overdose, strengthen our efforts to prevent overdoses and substance use-related harms and deaths, and enhance our support for individuals with substance use.  It is important to know the signs of overdose and be prepared to act quickly to intervene and help prevent death. The Centers for Disease Control reports that nationwide 67.5% of drug overdose deaths in 2024 had at least one potential opportunity for intervention. One step we can all take to help save lives from drug overdose is to be trained in the use of naloxone (i.e. Narcan), an opioid overdose reversal spray.

TCWH Commissioner Jennie Sutcliffe stated, “We implore everyone in our community to pick up a Narcan kit and become trained in its use. In its nasal spray form, Narcan is simple to use and effective. Having a Narcan kit and being prepared to use it may save someone’s life.”

TCWH compiles data related to opioid overdoses in our county. Over the past 6 years, Tompkins County has lost 109 residents due to unintentional overdose. TCWH also compiles data about Narcan use, distribution, and training in Tompkins County. Learn more about local opioid statistics and additional resources on our website, tompkinscountyny.gov/All-Departments/Whole-Health/Opioids

Tompkins County Whole Health recommends the following overdose prevention strategies:

• Never use alone. Use with others and take turns. If you are alone, call the “Never Use Alone” Hotline to be connected with an operator who will stay on the line while you use. Dial 877-696-1996.
• Use fentanyl and xylazine test strips as a precaution, or have supply checked at a drug testing site (Southern Tier AIDS Program, Inc., 314 W. State St/MLK Jr. St, Ithaca).
• Carry naloxone (Narcan) and be trained in its use.
• Before using drugs, ask someone you trust to check on you regularly.
• Go slow by taking small amounts, especially if you haven’t used in a while. There is no safe dose of opioids.
• Wait long enough to feel the effects of what you took before taking more.
• Avoid mixing with alcohol or other drugs, especially drugs that make you sleepy.
• Seek treatment and support.
• Always dial 9-1-1 in the event of a medical emergency.

Overdose Prevention Resources

• Narcan kits, fentanyl testing strips, and xylazine testing strips are available free of cost at local community agencies:
  • Tompkins County Whole Health
  • Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services
  • REACH Medical
  • Southern Tier AIDS Program
• Naloxone (Narcan) is available at pharmacies via a statewide pharmacy standing order. Individuals will need to have insurance to access this standing order at no cost in a pharmacy. If you do not have insurance, dial 2-1-1 (1-877-211-8667) to receive assistance.

• Narcan and testing strips can also be ordered for free through NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS), delivered to your residence. Order online at: https://oasas.ny.gov/harm-reduction.
• Another resource for individuals interested in obtaining free testing supplies can be found via: NY Matters, mattersnetwork.org. 
• For more information about drug checking programs: https://www.health.ny.gov/press/releases/2023/2023-10-23_drug_checking_programs.htm
• NYS OASAS “Project COPE” website for overdose prevention and harm reduction education

Addiction and Mental Health Community Resources

• Tompkins County Whole Health’s Mental Health Services: 607-274-6200
• Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services (CARS): 607-273-5500
• REACH Medical: 607-273-7000
• To find other available treatment programs throughout the state, use the NYS OASAS online directory.
• Ithaca Community Recovery’s support groups for individuals to help navigate your personal recovery, as well as for friends and families affected by their loved one’s substance use.
• NYS OASAS HOPEline, a 24/7 helpline to call or text for support. Call 1-877-8-HOPENY (467369) or Text HOPENY (467369) for immediate assistance.
• The 9-8-8 Lifeline call service is also available, 24/7, to speak confidentially with mental health professionals about your concerns; dial 9-8-8 to connect with this support.
• Need help finding help? Dial 2-1-1 (1-877-211-8667) for supportive, local referrals and resource connections.

Tompkins County Whole Health: envisioning a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find them online at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health and follow on Facebook, Instagram or X. Sign up to receive Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text.