Three Ways to Stay Well During Winter Break

An end of semester health reminder from the heads of Columbia's student health services.

By
Melanie Bernitz & Marcy Ferdschneider
December 18, 2024

Dear Students,

You did it—you've made it to the end of the fall semester. If you are graduating*, congratulations!  

As winter recess and holiday gatherings begin, we at Columbia Health and Student Health on Haven encourage you to prioritize self-care and explore the resources available to support your well-being this season and beyond.

Remember: your student health services are open through most of winter break and many of the services can be accessed even if you are not in New York City.

Stay Well During Winter Recess

1. Get the flu and the COVID-19 vaccine.  
Considering holiday gatherings and increased time indoors due to cold weather, respiratory viruses are expected to rise. If you haven’t done so yet, get the flu vaccine (flu season typically runs from November to May) and an up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine from a nearby pharmacy, city-run vaccination center, or at Columbia Health (Morningside/Manhattanville) or Student Health on Haven (CUIMC).  

CUIMC clinical students: You are required to get the flu vaccine every year.
 
2. Continue practicing essential prevention hygiene, especially during travel and holiday gatherings.  
Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, cough/sneeze into your elbow, and stay home if you’re not feeling well.  


Make sure you have all travel-related needs and resources (e.g. medications, vaccinations, health insurance, etc.) by scheduling a travel medicine visit at Columbia Health (Morningside/Manhattanville students) or Student Health on Haven (CUIMC students).
 

3. Get help when you need it.  
   
In New York:  
Please check your student health service website for up-to-date schedules or to make an appointment.   

24/7 phone support is also available for urgent concerns, even during holidays:  

Morningside/Manhattanville students

  • urgent medical concerns, call 212-854-7426
  • urgent mental health concerns, call 212-854-2878
  • bookmark these free online tools to cope with distress

 

CUIMC students

  • urgent concerns, call 212-305-3400 (option 7 for mental health concerns; option 8 for medical concerns)
  • additionally, 24/7 counseling support via chat and phone is available through TELUS Health Student Support
  • check out these on-campus and community resources for students learning, training, and working in the health professions.  

 

All students

  • support for sexual assault or other forms of gender-based violence, call 212-854-4357  


Wherever you are in the U.S. or across the globe:  
All full-time students, international students, and students on the Columbia Student Health Insurance Plan have healthcare coverage while traveling across the U.S. and around the world.  

 

Thank you for the steps you continue to take to keep yourselves and our community safe and healthy. We wish everyone continued success at the close of the fall term and a safe and healthy winter season.  


In health,  

Melanie Bernitz, M.D., M.P.H.
Interim Executive Vice President, University Life
Senior Vice President, Columbia Health      
Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine (in the Center for Family and Community Medicine)

Marcy Ferdschneider, D.O.
Assistant Vice President, Student Health on Haven
Assistant Professor of Medicine at CUIMC


*Graduating students can use their student health services through December 31, 2024.