Student Mental Health Center
At Albert Einstein College of Medicine, we understand that the academically rigorous environment of medical and graduate school may cause unfamiliar stress. To help M.D. students, Ph.D. students, dual M.D./Ph.D. students, and postdoctoral fellows deal with stress, we provide free, confidential mental health services, by appointment. Our Student Mental Health Center provides short-term counseling, medication consultation and management, and/or group psychotherapy. Issues we may be able to help with include the following:
- depression
- stress
- anxiety disorders
- alcohol or drug use
- eating disorders
- sexual concerns
- identity concerns
If you are seeking long-term treatment, or if we recommend long-term treatment beyond the initial counseling sessions, our clinicians can assist with referring you to a mental health specialist who can provide care tailored to your needs.
For emergency mental health care when the Einstein Student Mental Health Center is closed, the following free and confidential resources are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
- If you are in danger or need immediate medical attention, call 911.
- For crisis intervention and suicide prevention, call Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386. Trevor Lifeline is part of the Trevor Project—a leading national organization in providing emergency services for LGBTQ+ young people.
For nonlife-threatening emergencies, contact the Montefiore Psychiatric Emergency Department at 718-920-7460 to be directed to a directed to a psychiatry resident.
The Student Mental Health Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and after hours by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 718-839-7400. We are located at 1225 Morris Park Avenue, Van Etten Building, Floor 4.
Our Staff
Joseph Battaglia, M.D.
Director, Student Mental Health Center
Raura J. Doreste–Mendez, Ph.D.
Psychologist
Zoe I. Luscher, M.D.
Psychiatrist
Sarika Persaud, Psy.D.
Psychologist
Rebecca Kurtz, Psy.D.
Psychologist
Carla M. Alvarado
Administrative Assistant