Student Needs and Assistance Program - SNAP

ABOUT SNAP

SNAP is a Dartmouth Medical School Student Government peer program created to help students work through personal problems that may be hindering the learning process - including substance abuse, emotional setbacks, or physical challenges - in a healthy, confidential way. Members of SNAP include two elected representatives from each of the four classes and six faculty/staff members. Students are elected during their first year and serve for the four-year duration of their education at DMS. They also serve as voting members of Student Government.

WHY SNAP?

SNAP was designed to assist students as they work to become physicians while at the same time dealing with difficult issues that affect their lives. SNAP works with students to develop a plan to manage their difficulties in a manner that is confidential and non-administrative. The goals of SNAP include:

• To provide assistance to students at risk for impairment
• To protect students' privacy
• To enable students to progress through the medical school curriculum without penalty or delay
• To serve in an advocacy and support role as students address their difficulties
• To protect patients, hospital staff and other medical students from the harm that impairment may cause

HOW SNAP WORKS

• SNAP members are available as resources for students with any questions or concerns, including help with gaining access to professional counseling and support services either within or outside of DMS and DHMC.
• Anyone, including faculty, residents, staff, or students, who believes that a medical student may be at risk for impairment can enlist the assistance of SNAP by contacting any of its members in confidence (2001-02 SNAP members).
• The SNAP member, either alone or in consultation with another SNAP member, will find out as much information as possible about the student's situation and establish if the case merits further review. If it does not, no further action will be taken. If it does, the committee as a whole will discuss the situation and decide if a recommendation should be made for an evaluation by an outside professional.
• When treatment is recommended by an outside evaluator, SNAP will present treatment options and a list of approved treatment providers to the student. SNAP believes strongly in the importance of being flexible in considering options for treatment.
• The goal of a successful intervention is the improved health and well-being of the student, as well as their fellow students, co-workers and patients.

WHO ARE THE SNAP REPS?

Year IV: Chris Jons, Becky Swenson
Year III: Brian Porter, Hai Sun
Year II: Allison Binkowski, Courtney Mcilduff
Year I: Mark Roberts, Kari Vandenburgh

Sarah Ricketts, MD is the medical faculty SNAP coordinator.

HOW DO I CONTACT SNAP?

You may contact SNAP by going directly to any of the SNAP reps, or via email.

SNAP brochure online

For more information on SNAP, please feel free to download and print the SNAP brochure.

SNAP Brochure (HTML / PDF 16 KB)

RESOURCES AND LINKS

The following resource list and links to other websites has been compiled by SNAP members. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list, but rather a starting point for information. If you find a site to be particularly helpful, please let us know so that we may add it to our list.

Counseling and Human Development at Dick's House (603-650-1442)

Dick's House offers individual counseling as well as group therapy programs. More information on group therapy options can be found in blitz bulletins under Counseling and Human Development.

**Important information for students with the Dartmouth Student Group Health Plan insurance - if you would like insurance coverage, you will need to have a referral from Dick's House BEFORE seeing an off-campus therapist. Please contact Heidi Fishman (603-650-1442) at Dick's House for more information about available therapists in the community.

If you have another form of insurance or plan to pay out-of-pocket, you may also contact Dick's House for information on area therapists or check local phone listings.

Local Mental Health Agencies Emergency Services Numbers:
Dartmouth Hitchcock Behavioral Health: 800 556 6249
Headrest (Substance abuse, shelter services): Hotline 603 448 4400.
WISE (domestic and sexual violence) 24 hour hotline: 603 448 5525.
Women's Supportive Services 24 hour hotline: 603 543 0155.
NH Help Line: 1 800 852 3388. Information and referral 24 hrs/day. A help line for any NH resident looking for a wide variety of services, including mental health.

Suggested Outside Therapists:

Psychiatrists

• Christine Barney, MD -- (603) 448-4831
• Mike Fanizzi, MD -- (603) 448-3122
• Patti Napiorkowski -- (802) 649-0100
• Laurie Reed, MD -- (603) 643-2253
• Diane Roston, MD -- (603) 448-4821

Psychologists and MSWs

• Stephen Cole PhD -- (802) 649-0100
• Christine Demment PhD -- (802)649-0100
• Betty Dixon MSW -- (603)448-3468
• Janet Sims PhD -- (802)649-0100

Web Resources:
www.depression-primarycare.org - many additional links regarding depression
www.aafp.org/patientinfo - American Academy of Family Practitioners
www.ama-assn.org/ - American Medical Association
depressionscreening.org - Confidential depression screening.
www.nmha.org - National Mental Health Association

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