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As the situation in the Middle East continues to spiral, our public health community is watching as a humanitarian crisis unfolds. Civilians in Gaza are now suffering the repercussions of the heinous terrorist attack carried out on civilians in Israel eleven days ago. The impacts of these events are deeply felt by Israeli and Palestinian families and communities both in the region and here in New York.
We continue to denounce the violence against Israel and we are also gravely concerned about the conditions in Gaza with the climbing death toll of civilians and lack of basic resources to survive that are necessary at this critical moment, including clean water, electricity and medical supplies. The unimaginable public health fallout stemming from this conflict weighs heavy on our hearts.
Our CUNY SPH community will continue to be aware of–and sensitive to–the high level of stress many of our members are experiencing as they worry about family and friends missing or struggling for survival in the region. Please remain compassionate and respectful towards each other. Our campus is a safe space for dialogue, and we take pride in our inclusivity and diversity.
For those in our community who are coping with the aftermath of this devastating event, we encourage you to utilize the support and resources available.
For SPH students: Our Office of Counseling and Wellness Services can provide counseling. Students seeking support are encouraged to reach out to the office by emailing sherry.adams@sph.cuny.edu or calling (646) 364-9526.
For faculty and employees: The CCA@YourService benefit for CUNY employees is a program that provides access to a range of support services, including free short-term counseling sessions (up to 3), and unlimited counseling by phone. You can find more info here. CCA@YourService has also established a dedicated page of information and resources relating to this conflict.
Sincerely,
Ayman El-Mohandes
Dean
