If there is anyone in imminent danger, dial 9-1-1. Additional contacts.
THE TOMPKINS COUNTY Health and Mental Health Departments have integrated to become Tompkins County Whole Health.
OUR MISSION is to build a healthy, equitable community in Tompkins County by addressing the root causes of health disparities and integrating mental, physical and environmental health. (See the About page for more detail.)
Both locations, 201 East Green St. and 55 Brown Rd., serve clients for many Whole Health programs.
Families, Children & Youth
RAISING a family takes a village. TCWH services support the care of children, youth, and their families. Programs provide care and support before, during and after pregnancy, and for children in their growth and development, including immunizations, nutrition education and breastfeeding support, mental health services, speech therapy, and physical therapy.
Adults
Mental health is integral to well-being. TCWH provides mental health services for adults, including counseling, medication assisted therapy or management, and group programs. On-site clinics provide immunizations for uninsured and underinsured adults.
Dial 988 to speak with a counselor 24/7 whenever you or a loved one are in crisis.
Community Programs
Whole Health supports a healthy community for all Tompkins County residents. Our programs bring prevention measures to homes and public places through education and policy. Community health workers go directly to residents and community groups to provide on-going connection and support.
Environmental Health Permits and Guidance
ENVIRONMENTAL Health supports overall community wellness and public safety. The Environmental Health team -inspects and issues operating permits for all food served to the public, public pools and summer camps, public water supplies and residential septic systems, clean indoor air, and tobacco retailers to prevent underage sales. They are on call 24/7, responding to emergency needs such as exposure to rabies or other environmental hazards.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
TOMPKINS County Whole Health embraces the County’s vision for continued education and implementation of DEIB initiatives to advance health equity. Our Community Health Improvement Plan identifies health disparities and opportunities to inform programs and services.
Recent Press Releases
Health Alert: Check for Ticks, Prevent Lyme Disease & Other Tick-Borne Illnesses
(7/2/2024) Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) is alerting the community to be aware of the dangers of contracting Lyme Disease and other illnesses as a result of bites from ticks. Ticks have been reported to transmit over 7 different illnesses which can affect people of any age. Tick-borne disease symptoms vary by type of infection and can include fever, fatigue, headache, and rash.
Lyme disease is spread to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks (or deer ticks). Because Lyme disease is caused by bacteria, re-infection can occur with any bite from an infected tick. While not all deer ticks are infected with the bacteria, Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in New York. Other tick-borne diseases, including babesiosis and anaplasmosis, are spreading within the State.
For reducing the risk of tick-borne disease, ticks must be removed within 36 hours. However, tick-borne diseases other than Lyme disease can be transmitted within just a few hours, so it is essential to check for ticks frequently and remove them as soon as possible.
Additional information on prevention and how to remove a tick is in the full press release.
HABs Alert: Harmful Algal Blooms in Tompkins County
(6/24/2024) TCWH urges residents and visitors to beware of HABs. These blooms can occur in any calm body of water and may produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals. Do not drink the water and avoid contact with the water if it appears discolored or has an unpleasant odor. Do not allow pets to swim in water where suspicious cyanobacteria blooms are present. Hot weather and intense rain and runoff events can lead to an increase in the presence of HABs.
HABs can also be present in smaller ponds. Residents who have private ponds should monitor their ponds for signs of blooms and avoid contact.
Please review thefull press release for information on identifying HABs, what to do if a person or a pet comes in contact with HABs, and how to report sightings.
- (6/14/2024) Health Alert: Monkey Run Natural Area Re-Opened, Caution Still Advised
- (6/4/2024) Health Alert: Wild Raccoon Kits Kept by Resident in Lansing; Community Urged to Contact Environmental Health Due to Risk of Rabies Exposure
- Anti-Vaping Campaign Reminds Youth to Keep Your Focus, Not Your Fix
- Whole Health Releases 5-Year Unintentional Fatal Overdose Data
- Current press releases (2024)
- 2023 PR Archive
Events & Announcements
Stay safe during hot weather.
Summertime heat can be dangerous for anyone. Some people are at risk of serious health effects – even death – from getting overheated. Health risks include dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and worsening of health conditions.
Prepare for a heat wave:
- Know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
- Make sure that you can open your windows and/or that your air conditioner is working properly.
- Find out where cooling centers are near you, and when they are open.
- Choose someone that you can call for help or who can check on you.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about medications that might make you sensitive to the sun or heat.
Overheated?
Heat-related illnesses occur when the body is unable to cool itself. The most common heat-related illnesses are heat stroke (sun stroke), heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash. Here are the symptoms and first-aid responses. Click here for a NYSDOH web page of symptoms and first-aid responses.
Cooling Centers:
Cooling centers are facilities where you can go to cool off during extreme heat. If a cooling center is not available, libraries, supermarkets, malls, and community swimming pools are great places to stay cool.
Click here for a list of cooling centers by county.
Remember, call before you go! Cooling centers may be closed at certain times or only available during extreme heat events. The phone number and address of each cooling center is provided in the listing. (Compiled by the NYS Department of Health and represents the most up to date information provided by local agencies.)
More information:
- Tompkins Ready.
- NYSDOH Keep Your Cool During Summer Heat.
- Also available in a PDF.
- NYSDOH Extreme Heat Advice.
- NYSDOH Keep Kids Out of Hot Cars.
Click here to see additional job opportunities at Whole Health.
Emergency Services
EMERGENCY AND CRISIS CONTACTS FOR 24-HOUR HELP if you or someone you know feels the need to speak with a mental health professional:
- For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, DIAL 988 (1-800-273-8255)
- Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 741-741.
- Ithaca’s Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service hotline, 1-607-272-1616.
- Veterans Crisis Line, for Veterans and their loved ones, DIAL 9-8-8 then Press 1, or text 838255.
Visit veteranscrisisline.net for online chat and more.
NOTICE: Tompkins County Whole Health makes every effort to post accurate and reliable information. However, it does not guarantee or warrant that the information on this website is complete, accurate, or up-to-date. Tompkins County shall not be liable under any circumstances for any claims or damages arising directly or indirectly from information presented therein. Please contact the program area by phone or the receptionist at 607-274-6600 for more information.
