Take Action to Sustain Mental Health Resources

Charlotte Jewish News, May 2025

By Howard Olshansky, Executive Director, Jewish Family Services

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and at Jewish Family Services (JFS), we believe there has never been a more crucial time to recognize its importance. In the wake of a global pandemic, amidst political division, economic instability, and social unrest, we are witnessing a surge in stress, anxiety, and depression across all segments of our community.

Youth report feeling persistently anxious. Parents worry about their children’s well-being. Seniors face growing challenges—emotionally, socially, and financially. And yet, as the demand for mental health services increases, the infrastructure supporting those services is at risk.

Proposed cuts to federal programs like Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and senior services have created deep uncertainty for families and individuals who rely on these lifelines. Most recently, the government has taken steps toward dismantling the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) — a department that oversees the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as critical mental health and elder care programs through agencies such as:

- SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration),

- ACL (Administration for Community Living), and

- CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).

The ripple effect of weakening or eliminating these agencies would be profound. For example, without SAMHSA’s funding and

research, groundbreaking treatments like Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) — a model used by JFS therapists — might never be discovered or implemented.

This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Month, “Turning Awareness into Action,” could not be more appropriate. It’s time to move from simply acknowledging mental health to actively supporting it — for ourselves, for our neighbors, and for our broader community.

Here are ways you can take action:

Start with Self-Care

Your mental health is the foundation of everything you do. Prioritize practices that help you recharge, whether it’s movement, mindfulness, or creativity. If you're struggling, seek professional support. Asking for help is a courageous first step.

Check in on Others

Sometimes, all it takes is someone noticing. Reach out to a friend, co-worker, or loved one who may be struggling. Let them know you care. That simple gesture could open the door to healing.

Mental health is stronger when it’s a collective effort. By sharing your story, you can help reduce stigma and open the door for others to do the same. Support or volunteer with local mental health programs, and keep the conversation going—at work, in schools, and in synagogues—to build a culture of awareness, compassion, and connection.

Protect the systems that protect us.

Urge your elected officials to maintain funding for Medicaid and other essential safety-net services. Advocate for preserving the structure and vital functions of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and speak out to ensure that mental health remains a priority—both in our national dialogue and within our local communities.

At Jewish Family Services, we are committed to walking alongside those who need help, offering counseling, support groups, and direct interventions. But we cannot do this work alone.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, contact JFS at (704) 364-6594 or email info@jfscharlotte.org.

Let’s make this Mental Health Awareness Month more than just a moment of reflection. Let’s make it a catalyst for action — to protect what matters most: the health and dignity of every person in our community.