Health & Wellness
As performing artists, maintaining high quality physical and mental health is critical for AMDA students who must meet rigorous academic and performance demands. AMDA provides complementary health and wellness services to support students' behavioral and emotional wellness, and to help students evaluate options for maintaining healthy lifestyles through prevention, intervention, and education. AMDA's goal is to empower students to develop skills and competencies that support healthy choices and academic success as a foundation for life-long development.
Please note: all physical and mental health services are available to enrolled students remotely until further notice. The AMDA staff member will provide options for meeting via secure phone or video sessions. See details for specific services and contact information below.
Counseling Services at AMDA New York
AMDA NY offers Mental Health Counseling services to help meet the emotional and psychological needs of our students. Our goal is to create a campus environment that facilitates the health and well-being of all of our students and advances our academic and performance mission. Our Counselors provide short-term consultations and can connect students to ongoing counseling and community resources. Services are free and confidential.
Hours
Hours are Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm EST.
Services
- Individual Counseling
- Crisis Response
- Mental Health Programming/Events
- Referrals to community resources
Location
4th Floor of 61st Street. Students should check in for appointments at the 4th floor reception desk. Please note that services are currently being offered remotely, via phone or video consultations/sessions.
To make an appointment
Email counselorNY@amda.edu with your name and scheduling options.
Additional and Ongoing Counseling Resources
For students looking for support outside of AMDA, please contact your insurance provider to better understand your mental health benefits.
Here is a step-by-step guide to calling your insurance:
- 1. Call the member services number on your insurance card. Ask if “behavioral health” is covered under your plan.
- 2. Ask if you need prior authorization to start services.
- 3. Ask if your plan has a deductible that needs to be met prior to your insurance company covering the cost.
- 4. Confirm your co-payment amount.
- 5. Ask for assistance finding providers who accept your insurance.
In addition to speaking with your insurance carrier, below are some online resources* for finding a provider:
- psychologytoday.com
- zocdoc.com
- betterhelp.com
- talkspace.com
- zencare.co
- ayanatherapy.com
- inclusivetherapists.com
*AMDA does not endorse the directories listed above. This is to be utilized as a reference list.
Please note: if you need immediate assistance after hours please call NYC's 24/7 hotline at 888-692-9355 or visit nycwell.cityofnewyork.us. In case of a mental health emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Our Athletic Trainer, Marissa Adams, provides injury consultation, injury prevention, and performance enhancement services. Our mission is to empower students to become active participants in their wellbeing and support a vibrant, healthy and engaged campus community.
LOCATION
Office of Student Success-4th floor of 61st St. Please note that services are currently being offered remotely, via video consultations/sessions.
CONTACT
NYHealth@amda.edu
SERVICES
- Injury consultation
- Wellness screening and individualized exercise programs
- Promote optimal levels of conditioning and overall health
- Education regarding injury prevention and self-care strategies
- Referral and timely access to physician evaluation and care
PHYSICAL HEALTH
General preventative care (including routine physical examinations, immunizations, specialty visits, etc.) and emergency care will occur off-campus. Students are encouraged to understand their insurance benefits and find providers in the NYC area. Below is a list of local health clinics.
Local health clinics
If you need immediate medical attention call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Staying Healthy at AMDA
- Nutritional Needs – Fueling your success
- Create a budget for money management
- Create a menu or prepare meals ahead of time
- Be mindful of what you put in your body; limit fast food and look for balanced meals (healthy/nutritious meals are affordable, but typically require some effort and planning!)
- If you need any additional support in this area, please reach out for advice and resources
- Physical Fitness - Cardiovascular and Strength Training
- Decreases rate of injury
- Boosts your immune system to help avoid sickness
- Increases your ability to concentrate and perform in class
- Sleep Hygiene
- Stick to a schedule; try to go to sleep and wake up around the same time every day
- Avoid caffeinated beverages in the evening or eating a heavy meal right before bed
- Engage in a “nighttime routine” to calm the mind and de-stress before you sleep, such as reading or other calming activities
- How to avoid illness
- Wash your hands, wear a mask and practice social distancing
- Include healthy foods in your diet
- Maintain an active lifestyle
- Be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep
SHIP Information And Health Insurance Requirements
The welfare of our students is essential to our vibrant performing arts community. Per the Affordable Care Act, all enrolled students on either campus must have both mental and physical health insurance at all times while attending AMDA.
To assist students with this requirement, AMDA automatically enrolls each student in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), an affordable service that offers students access to mental and physical healthcare services throughout New York City and Los Angeles.
Whether it's a broken ankle or a psychological trauma, SHIP provides vital resources to ensure AMDA students are healthy in body and mind for continued success in their education.
You can find all plan materials at 4studenthealth.com. If you have questions about enrollment, please call Relation at 800-955-1991.
Waive Out Of SHIP
Students have until the Friday of Week 1 each term to waive their automatic SHIP enrollment. To waive out, you must provide proof of comparable health insurance that meets the coverage requirements of the Affordable Care Act. You may waive out of SHIP if you provide proof of comparable health insurance.
Additional Information
Contact
If you have any questions or concerns about SHIP coverage on either campus, don't hesitate to contact Denise Jeanes at (800) 537-1777 or denise.jeanes@ahpcare.com.
Staying Healthy at AMDA
- Nutritional Needs – Fueling your success
- Physical Fitness - Cardiovascular and Strength Training
- Decreases rate of injury
- Boosts your immune system to help avoid sickness
- Increases your ability to concentrate and perform in class
- How Fit are You? Take the test and find out!
- Why is sleep important?
- Lack of sleep affects concentration and performance in class
- Stick to a schedule, get a full nights rest, take naps
- How to avoid illness
- Wash your hands
- Include healthy foods in your diet
- Maintain an active lifestyle
- Be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep
- How maintain a stress-free lifestyle
- Create a budget for money management
- Create a menu or prepare meals a head of time
- Create a schedule and stick to it
