MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

JFS LAUNCHES YEAR-ROUND MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS SERIES

When the Jewish Family Services planning committee sat down to create programs for May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, it encountered one major obstacle: too many topics to address, and not enough time! Upon much discussion, a month of programming grew into an infinite initiative, dubbed the JFS Mental Health and Wellness Series.

A key aspect of the series is to address mental health needs across a person’s entire lifespan, from birth through the twilight years. Since mental health is not just an illness, but an integral part of overall well-being, the committee felt it was especially important to meet the community where they are, at every stage of life.

The first program in the series, We Are More Than One Thing, brought generations together in a meaningful collaboration with students from Noble Academy and B’nai Shalom Day School. Participants used collage and conversations to explore the topic of personal identity with one another.

JFS has also introduced Jews in Recovery (JIR), a support group led by Sheilagh

Harrington, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. While many local recovery groups are rooted in non-Jewish traditions, JIR provides a safe and inclusive space, welcoming individuals at any point on their Jewish journey.

Menopause is among the top subjects community members ask JFS to address. That’s why the Mental Health and Wellness Series will be offering a comprehensive workshop that addresses the mental and physical health impacts of menopause, along with updated treatments for middleaged women who are too often neglected.

In the wake of rising anxiety and uncertainty within the LGBTQ+ community, JFS is taking action to support those who feel unsettled. By working with LGBTQ+ partners, JFS will be offering programming aimed at supporting individuals and families struggling to navigate these difficult times.

Caregivers and parents can also look forward to dedicated programs as part of the JFS Mental Health & Wellness Series, along with many other events and resources too numerous to name. To stay informed about all that the JFS Mental Health and Wellness Series has to offer, visit the events calendar at jfsgreensboro.org, and be sure to subscribe to the e-newsletter.