COMBO

Resources

The COMBO vision is to develop a lasting partnership with the Washington Heights and greater New York City community to understand effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on an underrepresented group in research: babies and their mothers. This work could not be done without our participants. Together, we can support our next generation's healthy development. To this end, we recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives and adds an enormous stressor to the stress of being a new or expectant parent. Below we have compiled a list of resources that may be of use if you are struggling with mental health, feeling unsafe in your home, facing hunger and food insecurity, need breastfeeding support, and/or wish to find out more about pregnancy and COVID-19.

If you are feeling stressed, depressed, or overwhelmed, the following resources are available 24/7:

  • NYC Well: Free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health and substance misuse support, information and referral. Call 888-NYC-WELL (692-9355), text “WELL” to 65173, or click here to online chat.
    • Español: Press 3
    • 中文: Press 5
    • Interpreters are available for 200+ languages. Stay on the line, and you will be connected with a counselor who can connect you to translator services.
  • National Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741 in any type of crisis to connect with a crisis counselor.
  • Disaster Distress Hotline Provided by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Call 1-800-985-5990, text “TalkWithUs” to 66746, or visit: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 997 or 800-273-TALK (8255) or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.

If you don't feel safe in your home:

  • Violence Intervention Program - a live, 24 hour, bilingual (English/Spanish) domestic violence hotline. Call 1-800-664-5880 or visit https://www.vipmujeres.org/.
  • The New York State Domestic Violence Hotline is also available 24/7 - call 1-800-942-6906.

If you are experiencing hunger or food insecurity:

For a list of Washington Heights-specific food resources, visit: https://www.nycfoodpolicy.org/coronavirus-nyc-food-resource-guide-washington-heights-inwood/

If you are seeking postpartum advice: 

  • The Postpartum Resource Center of New York offers free emotional support and healthcare/support resources 7 days a week, 9am - 5pm at 1(855) 631-0001 https://postpartumny.org/

If you need help with or have questions about breastfeeding:

For a comprehensive list of worldwide studies published covering COVID-19 maternal and child health:

For information on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in pregnancy:

Watch a town hall meeting sponsored by Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital on the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in pregnant and childbearing women: https://vimeo.com/498421848

For a variety of general support programs: 

  • Visit https://mutualaid.nyc/resources-groups/ for an interactive neighborhood map to see what services are available in your area. Some services include financial assistance, volunteers who can help run errands for you, food support, etc. 
  • A nurse-led maternal health and home visitation program, Nurse-Family Partnership partners low-income, first-time moms with maternal and child health nurses. The resulting trusted relationship gives these moms the support they need to have a healthy pregnancy, improve their child's health and development, and become more economically self-sufficient. Click here to learn more: https://www.nursefamilypartnership.org/first-time-moms/
  • To receive monetary assistance for WIC foods, health screenings, health counseling, referrals to other programs, breastfeeding support and more, mothers may apply to WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): https://www.nursefamilypartnership.org/first-time-moms/

For childcare-related resources: 

For assistance coping with COVID-related loss (for children, teens, and adults)

  • COVID-Loss Camps, an extension of Comfprt Zone Camp, offer in-person and virtual camp programs to assist children, adults, and parents who have experienced a COVID-related death. Click the following link to view the dates of programs currently offered: https://comfortzonecamp.org/covidloss/
  • Sessame Street in Communities provides parents and guardians with videos, articles, and and activity plans designed to help children up to 10 years old cope with COVID-related loss. Click here to learn more about Sessame Street and grief management: https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/grief/
  • The Dougy Center is a national organization with a wide variety of resources, activities, podcasts, articles, and tips for processing grief after losing loved ones. Targets children and teenagers. Click here to learn more: https://www.dougy.org/grief-support-resources/teens
  • The COPE Foundation, based in Long Island, provides bereavement support groups for children, teens, and adults, as well as a hotline ((516) 364-COPE (2673), Mon-Thurs 9-9, Sat-Sun 10-3) for grieving indaviduals. All services are free. Click here to learn more: https://copefoundation.org/programs/
  • The Eluna Resource Center provides a national directory of grief-related resources. Click here: https://elunanetwork.org/resources/
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City matches children aged 7-17 with adult mentors, allowing the pairs to enjoy free activities in NYC twice a month. Apply here: https://www.bigsnyc.org/enroll