2023-2024 Updates

HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIP AT ITHACA COLLEGE AND THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

In 2022, Ithaca College’s Student Medical Health Services officially became part of the Cayuga Health System network.  

How will this change impact mental health services for students at Ithaca College?

This change will enhance the medical treatment options available to students through  Student Health Services (see below for a description of the new services at the Cayuga Health at Ithaca College center --formerly the Hammond Health Center). 

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What is happening to services provided through CAPS?

The changes to how Healthcare is offered to IC students will not affect offerings available through our separate  Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Cayuga Health at Ithaca College is a contracted entity and all Healthcare staff are employees of Cayuga Health System (more information here--https://www.ithaca.edu/student-health-services).  

CAPS is an Ithaca College office.  All Mental Health Professionals at CAPS are employees of the College.  We are a College Counseling Center.  

CAPS will continue to offer a no-cost, confidential, variety of consultation and therapeutic treatments to students for their mental health needs. 


CAPS will continue to offer a spectrum of mental health services, provided by our licensed mental health clinicians, which students can access directly by contacting our office at 607-274-3136. This includes:
• Individual and group counseling (short and longer-term)
• Coping skills workshops
• Consultation/ coordination with Student Accessibility Services and other campus partners
• Same-day/walk-in crisis intervention
• After-hours services via our Protocall service

We will also continue to prioritize building relationships with students throughout their time at IC and will work with them directly to develop a schedule of services that best meets their needs. Learn more about our Stepped Care treatment model.

Please note that there is no cost to utilize our services, and we do not utilize insurance. We look forward to providing mental health support to help you achieve you IC goals!

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Introducing the New Cayuga Health at Ithaca College Services:

Medication consultations and Brief Behavioral Health Intervention
Cayuga Health at Ithaca College provides healthcare treatment to maintain and restore student wellbeing. While attending Ithaca College, students may seek out medical treatment with a Student Health Primary Care Provider (PCP) for a wide variety of physical, emotional, and / or mental problems affecting their overall health. For example, psychiatric consultations and medication management are only available at Cayuga Health at Ithaca College.  You can make an appointment with Cayuga Health-IC by calling 607-274-3177.

 As a part of these services, Behavioral Health Interventionists (BHI) will now be included in the Primary Healthcare team. This new partnership and integrated behavioral health model will not serve as a substitute for or replace the services that CAPS offers to students. A student’s general medical provider may recommend them to a BHI for defined needs that are an extension of primary care treatment. Students will be offered brief, targeted interventions proven to help treat many kinds of health conditions and that may include common mental health disorders.

Cayuga Health at Ithaca College will offer common prescription medication treatments for students which will include mental health medication care.

Most students will no longer need to establish with an off-campus psychiatric prescriber for common mental health medication treatments while attending Ithaca College. However, for students with complex mental health treatment needs, or who may desire treatment with a mental health or other behavioral health specialist, Cayuga Health at Ithaca College can help direct students towards community resources that may best meet their needs. 

New behavioral healthcare supports available through Cayuga Health at Ithaca College will include:
- Expanded screening for depression, anxiety, and substance use to help identify problems early and improve tracking of mental health symptoms over time
- Behavioral Health Interventionists (BHI) available in office and virtually as a part of the general medical team to address a variety of physical, emotional, and mental health needs when recommended by a primary care provider (PCP). Students should schedule an appointment with their Student Health PCP to discuss specific treatment options

-Behavioral Health appointments through Cayuga Health at Ithaca College will not be billed to insurance.  

For more information, please contact Cayuga Health at Ithaca College at 607-274-3177