After Hours Care

After Hours Support

1. Call campus EMS at x5858 from any Academy phone or 516.726.5858.
If there is a Behavioral Health Emergency after hours, USMMA EMS has a
behavioral response protocol. This gives Midshipman the opportunity to be
transported to the hospital by a Northwell Ambulance instead of the USMMA EMS
Team.

2. National 24-hour Suicide Hotline call 988.
3. Northwell Adult Behavioral Health Crisis Walk in Clinic M-F, 0900-1500.
https://www.northwell.edu/behavioral-health/programs-services/adult-behavioralhealth-
crisis-center

4. National Alliance on Mental Illness Emergency phone numbers for Queens, Nassau,
Suffolk and New York State: https://namiqn.org/crisis-info/

5. Midshipmen who enroll and maintain medical coverage in The Student Health
Insurance Plan (SHIP) sponsored by USMMA have access to “CareConnect”.

CareConnect is an integrated behavioral health program offering students easy access
to licensed behavioral health clinicians 24/7/365 days a year via telephone. Connect
to a registered nurse within seconds at (888) 857-5462 for assistance in managing
your health on your terms. You can also download the app “Wellfleet Student”. When
connecting you may be asked to provide:
• Policy number or school name
• Nature of your call and/or emergency
• Current location
• Contact phone number and email address
• Secondary point

Tips to Manage Stress

Tips to Manage Stress

Everyone feels stressed at one time or another, whether it is due to academics, regimental life,
relationships or general life events. Here are 3 simple things that you can implement today to
reduce the tension you may feel:

1. Deep Breathing: Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Take slow,
deep breaths using your diaphragm. Take at least 20 deep breaths. At the end of this
exercise your body should feel less tense and more relaxed.

2. Exercise: Research suggests that exercising for 150 minutes per week will reduce
feelings of stress. Exercise is known to increase endorphins and also improve mood. This
can include going to the gym or something simple such as taking a walk or stretching in
your room.

3. Me Time: Take time for yourself. Do whatever it is that helps you feel grounded,
whether that’s speaking with a friend or going for a walk.
 

MCPD is a good resource for additional strategies to manage stress and promote
relaxation!

What to Expect

What to Expect

Your initial visit to MCPD

Midshipmen who seek support at MCPD typically make an appointment via email or phone.
Staff will ask for your schedule so the appointment can be given during one of your free periods
so it will not impact your academic courses. For urgent issues, Midshipmen can come to MCPD
during sick call M-F at 0730, or any time during regular business hours (M-F, 0830-1630).
During your initial visit you will meet with one of our clinical team members and will be given
an intake form. The form will ask general questions regarding who referred you, what issues you
would like to address, your major, grade point average and other general questions about you and
your life at the Academy.

The clinical team member will be in the room with you, so if you have any questions regarding
the form, you can ask as you complete it. Your clinical assessment will start with a discussion
about the issues you would like to address with your clinician. You will cover overall wellness
such as sleep, nutrition, exercise and your support system. Your clinician will use this initial
session to get to know you and to see in what areas you may need support and skills. You and
your clinician will then discuss two or three short-term goals to work on.

Debra O’Shea, Psy.D.

Debra O’Shea, Psy.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Debra.OShea.CTR@USMMA.EDU

Professional Biography

Dr. Debra O’Shea has over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults
in a variety of capacities. She began her career as a School Psychologist where she had the
opportunity to advocate for children and to assist parents in finding the best possible solution
to their child’s specific educational needs. Dr. O’Shea’s background includes working as a
Neuropsychologist in major medical centers, university counseling centers and working at a
clinical psychology graduate program running the training office and teaching.
Dr. O’Shea gained valuable experience working as part of NYU Langone’s Concussion Center
and Rusk Rehabilitation with those who had experienced a brain injury (mild to severe). In this
role, Dr. O’Shea worked with adolescents, young adults and student athletes in understanding
their diagnosis, symptom management as well as assisting with their plan to return to
academics and sports.

Dr. O’Shea is a seasoned clinician who brings her vast knowledge and experience to the
Midshipman Counseling and Personal Development department at the Office of Health Services
located at Patten Hall. She specializes in treating anxiety such as performance and test anxiety,
stress management and adjustment issues. Dr. O’Shea has extensive training in treating
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, where she utilizes evidenced based treatment of Exposure and
Response Prevention (ERP).

Dr. O’Shea graduated from St. John’s University, Queens Campus with her Bachelor’s Degree in
Communication Arts. She earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling, School Psychology from
California State University, Sacramento. Dr. O’Shea earned her Doctorate Degree in Clinical
Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International
University, Sacramento Campus.

In her free time, Dr. O’Shea is an avid runner, skier and beach goer. You can find her spending
time with family and friends, on the slopes, or any sunny beach.

Michelle P. Jaffe, Ph.D.

Michelle P. Jaffe, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
Michelle.Jaffe.CTR@USMMA.EDU

Professional Biography

Dr. Michelle P. Jaffe is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience helping adolescents and adults reach their full potential by achieving optimal personal growth, health and happiness. Dr. Jaffe’s approach is integrative and collaborative. She aims to help individuals gain better balance, manage stress and cultivate a resilient mindset in order to enhance quality of life. Her clinical and research work emphasizes the use of psychotherapy to foster self-discovery, strengthen coping mechanisms and promote overall psychological well-being. Dr. Jaffe also works with people with a wide-range of disabilities, including persons with brain injury, across the continuum of recovery, in: guiding cognitive rehabilitation, engaging in specialized neuropsychological assessment, as well as providing training and support to assist brain injury survivors and their caregivers in the recovery journey.  

Dr. Jaffe has experience as an Adjunct Assistant Professor, having taught Master-level courses in mental health, rehabilitation and school counseling, assisting graduate students in examining their clinical work, conceptualizing client cases and developing an awareness of critical clinical issues. 

In her role as Psychologist in Neuropsychological Rehabilitation at Park Terrace Care Center, an inpatient brain injury rehabilitation facility in Queens, NY, Dr. Jaffe conducts initial intake assessments, Coma Recovery Scale assessments, full neuropsychological evaluations, functional behavioral assessments and develops behavior management plans. She also provides supervision in designing and guiding patients through treatment planning and cognitive remediation strategies. Her work in traumatic brain injury has been published in peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Dr. Jaffe is also a Co-Founder of BrainMatters Neuropsychological Services, PLLC, a private psychological services consulting firm in New York.

Dr. Jaffe graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She earned master degrees in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College - Columbia University and her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the New School for Social Research.

B. Susan Crowe, M.S., NCC, LMHC

B. Susan Crowe, M.S., NCC, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Susan.Crowe.CTR@USMMA.EDU

Professional Biography

Mrs. Susan Crowe has over 20 years of experience working with adolescents and adults in a variety of capacities. 
She began her Counseling career working with active duty military and their families. In addition to providing 
counseling, she developed programs focused on the unique needs of military families in the areas of long-term 
military induced family separations, adjustment to sea duty and military life, and retirement from active duty. 
Mrs. Crowe served as a member of a Crisis Intervention Team assisting service members and military units. 
rs. Crowe continued her work with active duty military members as an Adjunct Professor for Nichols College. 
She joined the Humanities Department in the undergraduate degree program specifically designed for service 
members to obtain their Bachelor of Arts degree while on active duty.

In 1999, Mrs. Crowe joined the Counseling Service at the United States Merchant Marine Academy as the primary 
Counselor for midshipman. Mrs. Crowe has assisted midshipman during her time at the Academy by developing and 
presenting psychoeducation programs and through individual, couples and group counseling focusing in the areas of 
crisis intervention, anxiety, eating disorders, substance-use, bereavement, anger management, conflict resolution, 
stress and time management, post-concussive syndrome, healthy relationships, domestic violence, sexual assault, 
sexual harassment, and academic and occupational concerns. She has served as the primary liaison for the Academy’s 
Counseling Service with the Department of the Navy, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery and the United States Coast Guard 
National Maritime Center.

During her tenure at the Academy, Mrs. Crowe has served as the Senior Advisor to the Academy’s Emergency Medical 
Services (EMS) Squad, guiding the EMS Program while also volunteering as an Emergency Medical Technician at her 
local fire department. She served on the Committee which opened the Academy’s Academic Center of Excellence and 
was advisor to the Academy’s Games Club.

Mrs. Crowe received her Bachelor’s degree from Moravian College in Sociology and Religion and her Master’s Degree 
in Clinical Community Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. Mrs. Crowe received the third Mental Health 
Counseling License issued by State of New York. She a Nationally Certified Counselor, a Board Certified-TeleMental 
Health Provider (BC-TMH), a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Human Services-Board Certified 
Practitioner (HS-BCP), and member of the Chi Sigma Iota, the international honor society of counseling professionals. 
In 2002, Mrs. Crowe received the Department of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award for Operation Guarding Liberty for 
her efforts providing crisis intervention and support services following September 11th.

10 - Emergency Contacts

9 - Respiratory Protection Medical Questionnaire Form

8 - Record of Dental Examination For Third Molar Status

7 - Pre-Admission Immunization Record Summary