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As with any serious health concern, you are advised to contact your physician directly for consultation and treatment. What follows is intended merely to serve as a guide to those seeking more information.
General Health Information
For general public health information, visit New York City's Health and Mental Hygiene website.
Blood Donation
The New York Blood Center (NYBC) has been serving the downtown community for more than 40 years. One of the nation's largest blood distribution and services organization, NYBC provides blood and blood products for more than one million transfusions annually, a significant portion of our nation’s blood supply. NYBC serves close to 200 hospitals and 20 million people in the tri-state area. Call NYBC's toll-free number [1-800-933-2566] to schedule a donation appointment at one of many mobile or permanent donor locations throughout New York City, Long Island, northern and central New Jersey, and the Hudson Valley.
Crisis Counseling Hotlines and Mental Health Resources
- For a referral to a psychologist in your area, call the American Psychological Association Help Center at 1-800-964-2000. The operator will use your zip code to locate and connect you with the referral system in your area.
- LIFENET 9/11 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program [1-800-LifeNet (1-800-543-3638); LifeNet/Spanish (1-877-298-3373); LifeNet/Asian (1-212-254-2731)] is a free 24-hour mental health counseling, information, and referral line to assist those who are experiencing emotional distress. The program is co-sponsored by the American Red Cross and the September 11th Fund and administered by the Mental Health Association of New York City.
- National Anxiety Disorder Screening Project (1-888-442-2022) offers free screenings year-round for depression and anxiety disorders at more than 1200 clinics across the United States. Call for a site near you.
- Safe Horizon [800-621-HOPE (4673)] aims to provide support, prevent violence, and promote justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families and communities. The organization’s 80 programs are located throughout the five boroughs of New York City in court houses, police precincts, schools, shelters, and community offices.
- National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead Federal agency for research on mental and behavioral disorders. The site includes information about mental disorders related to stress and trauma.
Emergency Preparedness
In July 2003, the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) launched the Ready New York preparedness campaign, designed to help New Yorkers better prepare for all types of emergencies. As part of the campaign, OEM has created brochures that provide guidelines for preparing for a range of emergencies.
- Ready New York: Beat the Heat On warm summer days, New York City can be as much as 10 degrees warmer than surrounding areas. Ready New York: Beat the Heat offers tips on how to stay healthy and cool during the summer months, conserve water and energy, and identify and treat individuals with heat-related illnesses.
- Ready New York: Hurricanes and NYC Contrary to popular belief among many New Yorkers, coastal storms, including hurricanes, can and do impact the city. Ready New York: Hurricanes and New York City includes general tips on how to prepare for any emergency, instructions on how to develop a hurricane disaster plan and secure your home before a storm, and a map of New York City hurricane evacuation zones.
- Ready New York for Seniors and People with Disabilities Emergencies can pose added challenges for seniors and people with disabilities. Ready New York for Seniors & People with Disabilities provides detailed instructions on developing a disaster plan, assembling an Emergency Supply Kit, and putting together a Go Bag, as well as guidance on creating a support network, preparing for evacuation, and sheltering in place.
Medicare/Medicaid Services
For Medicare, Medicaid, and other eligible beneficiaries living in Lower Manhattan who are having trouble getting their usual health care and social services for daily living needs, please call the Medicare, Medicaid and Child Health Plus 24-hour Hotline at 1-800-331-7767 (translators available). Parents enrolled in Child Health Plus can also call this hotline for questions about their health care needs.
Resource Agencies
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