Mental health counseling appointments have moved online to Zoom while the Student Health Center is closed, according to the center’s postdoctoral therapist Inbar Malevski.
Students who already have counseling appointments were sent emails with a Zoom link that included their appointment information, such as the date and scheduled time.
The meetings are confidential and the Zoom system is Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant, said Malevski in an email.
“It is important for us to continue providing our students with important services and are offering students the option of maintaining their counseling appointments remotely,” Malevski said.
Malevski said she is glad the Zoom appointments are available because the COVID-19 quarantine has put a strain on the mental health of some students.
“I’m very happy that we are able to offer to students especially in these times,” Malevski said. “It triggers a lot of anxiety for people.”
Malevski said the Zoom appointments provide a challenge to her regular workflow.
“You can’t see the whole body so you don’t get the energy in the room,” Malevski said. “So it’s a little bit harder, but still the video really helps.”
The meetings will not be recorded for training purposes as they usually are. It has yet to be announced until when the appointments will be on Zoom.
