Jewish Professionals Guide to Mental Health and Wellness – jewishboston.com

In Greater Boston and across the country, many Jewish, interfaith and secular organizations have developed trainings and resources designed to provide support and help to reduce stigmas that surround mental health and wellness. To learn more about each organization’s specific offerings and about connecting your community to these resources, visit each organization’s website or contact Brett, Leah, or another member of the CJP team. 

Training, Resources & Research 

• BaMidbar: Through clinical and education programming and professional development, BaMidbar works to ensure that Jewish youth and young adults have the confidence, skills, and community support to navigate life’s challenges and thrive in the face of adversity.
• BBYO Center for Adolescent Wellness: The BBYO Center for Adolescent Wellness seeks to identify and provide best practices in adolescent health and wellness so that youth-serving organizations can be places where adolescents thrive.
• BeWell: The Jewish community is dedicated to promoting the wellbeing of young people. With BeWell, you will find support and tools to respond to the growing mental health concerns of young people aged 12 to 26, and resources for parents, caregivers, and Jewish professionals.
• The Blue Dove Foundation: Created to address mental illness and addiction in the Jewish community and beyond, the Blue Dove Foundation works with organizations and communities—both Jewish and interfaith—across the country and around the world.
• Here.Now: Teen-driven Jewish movement to provide support, build connections, increase well-being and resilience, and reduce stigma around mental health. Teens (ages 13-19) can engage in creative activities, partnerships, events, and innovate online content designed by teens for teens.
• Hillel International: Hillel connects students seeking support—including mental health counseling, vocational services, and resume support—with organizations offering these services.
• JewishBoston.com Mental Health Resources: Find resources, support groups, programs and ways to get help, raise awareness and address mental health issues in Boston’s Jewish community.
• Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Boston:  JF&CS is committed to helping individuals and families build a strong foundation for resilience and well-being across the lifespan. Whether someone needs short-term support during a life transition or challenging situation, or ongoing support to manage a chronic condition, JF&CS is here to help. 
• Jewish Teen Education and Engagement Funder Collaborative at Jewish Federations of North America: The Jewish Teen Education and Engagement Funder Collaborative unites national and local funders and practitioners to create, nurture, sustain and scale contemporary approaches to Jewish teen education and growth across the field, including a focus on teen mental health and wellness and resiliency.
• Keshet: Keshet works for the full equality of all LGBTQ Jews and our families in Jewish life, equipping Jewish organizations with the skills and knowledge to build LGBTQ-affirming communities, create spaces in which all queer Jewish youth feel seen and valued, and advance LGBTQ rights nationwide. 
• Massachusetts General Hospital Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds: The Clay Center is a free, practical, online educational resource devoted to supporting and promoting the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of young people. 
• Mental Health Access: Mental Health Access powered by CJP is working to improve access to mental health services, raise awareness, and destigmatize mental health issues for our Jewish community.
• Mental Health First Aid: Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues for a variety of age cohorts. Contact Brett or Leah to learn more about bringing Youth or Teen Mental Health First Aid to your community.
• Moving Traditions: Moving Traditions emboldens Jewish youth to thrive through the pursuit of personal wellbeing (shleimut), caring relationships (hesed), and a Jewish and feminist vision of equity and justice (tzedek). Combining positive psychology with Jewish values, we partner with Jewish institutions to engage Jewish teens, families, and communities.
• Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association: MEDA is the first step toward awareness and healing, providing education about eating disorders and their underlying causes for professionals and the community, offering a variety of services to support individuals and loved ones, and connecting clients with the best care for their needs. 
• National Alliance of Mental Health: Grassroots self help, support and advocacy organization of individuals with mental disorders and their families. The website provides information and resources on support groups, mental health awareness and training. 
• Newton-Wellesley Hospital Resilience Project: The Resilience Project is an innovative school- and community-based initiative designed to promote the mental health and well-being of adolescents, providing support through collaboration with school personnel, customized educational programming, and improved access to treatment resources.
• No Shame On U: No Shame On U is dedicated to eliminating the stigma associated with mental health conditions so the people who need the help will seek it, family members and friends will know how to provide proper support, and to save lives. 
• OneTable: Inspired by ancient Jewish wisdom, OneTable is a national non-profit that empowers folks (21-39ish) to find, share, and enjoy Shabbat dinners, making the most of their Friday nights. Shabbat, much like yoga or meditation for some, is an act of rebellion against a constantly moving world, and OneTable provides the resources young adults need to unplug and quiet the thoughts in their mind.
• Ruderman Synagogue Inclusion Project: The Ruderman Synagogue Inclusion Project is a partnership between CJP and the Ruderman Family Foundation that supports synagogues in creating communities where people of all abilities are valued equally and participate fully. We offer access to local and national inclusion experts, consultations to develop innovative synagogue inclusion strategies, and opportunities for congregational communities to teach, network, and share best practices. 
• The Search Institute: Search Institute is a nonprofit organization with a sixty-plus-year history of collaboration with partners to conduct and apply research that promotes positive youth development and advances equity.  
• Springtide Research Institute: Making mental-health friendly spaces the standard for Gen Z through ongoing research on mental health.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. To provide leadership and resources—programs, policies, information and data, funding, and personnel—advance mental and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services in order to improve individual, community, and public health. 

Crisis Intervention

• Always call 911 if you are unsure of what to do or whom to call.
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, and best practices for family members and professionals. 
• Crisis Text Line: Text “GO” to 741-741 to be connected to a trained crisis counselor
• Boston Area Rape Crisis Center: 899-841-8371 
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) 
• The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7836. Contact the 24/7 Crisis Hotline. Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. 
• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI or text “NAMI” to 741741 in a crisis. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. 
• Samaritans Statewide Helpline: 877-870-4673. Call or text 24/7 if you or someone you know seems suicidal. 
• McLean Hospital, Psychiatric Hospital: 800-333-0338. In- and out-patient services. 
• Riverside Community Care: 800-529-5077. Provides comprehensive care (including emergency services south and west of Boston) for children, teens, and adults.  

Fellowships and Opportunities for #JewishBostonTeens: 

Suggested Reading List:  

• Bonanno, George A. “The End of Trauma: How the New Science of Resilience is Changing How We Think About PTSD.” 2021.
• Brackett, Marc. “Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive.” 2019.
• Brooks, Robert and Goldstein, Sam. “Raising Resilient Children.” 2001.
• Frankel, Estelle. “Sacred Therapy: Jewish Spiritual Teachings on Emotional Healing and Inner Wholeness.” 2003.
• Ginsburg, Kenneth R. and Kinsman, Sara B. “Guiding Adolescents to Use Healthy Strategies to Manage Stress.” 2014.
• Homayoun, Ana. “Social Media Wellness: Helping Tweens and Teens Thrive in an Unbalanced Digital World.” 2018.
• Kanold, Timothy D. and Boogren, Tina H. “Educator Wellness: A Guide for Sustaining Physical, Mental, Emotional and Social Wellbeing.” 2022.
• Kress, Jeffrey S. “Growing Jewish Minds, Growing Jewish Souls: Promoting Spiritual, Social, and Emotional Growth in Jewish Education.” 2013.
• Mate, Gabor with Mate, Daniel. “The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture.” 2022.
• Mencher, Edythe Held with Shmilovitz, Yael and Howald, Michael. “Resilience of the Soul: Developing Emotional and Spiritual Resilience in Adolescents and Their Families.” 2007.
• Nelson, Jill R. and Kjos, Sarah. “Helping Teens Handle Tough Experiences: Strategies to Foster Resilience.” 2008.
• Tygielski, Shelly. “Sit Down to Rise Up: How Radical Self-Care Can Change the World.” 2021.
• Van Dernoot Lipsky, Laura and Burk, Connie. “Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others.” 2009.
• Van Der Kolk, Bessel. “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.” 2014.

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