Jewish Community Mental Health Education Project
Project Background
The JCMHEP Project was established in 2004 in response
to Jewish community needs expressed by clergy, Jewish educators and
agency staff, lay leaders, mental health professionals, and Jewish families.
It grew from the recognition that mental health concerns touched so
many Jewish families - but many felt isolated, ashamed and reluctant
to seek help and support because of stigma associated with mental illness.
Staff of Jewish community schools, synagogues, and agencies were regularly
confronting mental health concerns among the families they serve, but
were not familiar with community resources and unsure how to offer support.
A cross section of the Jewish community came together
at a community dialogue session hosted by the Helen Bader Foundation
in May 2004, attended by rabbis, Jewish educators and youth workers,
Jewish agency staff, mental health providers, and lay leaders. This
gave birth to the Jewish Community Mental Health Education Project.
Our action plan for the past two years was based on recommendations
from this dialogue session, which were implemented with generous support
from the Helen Bader Foundation, the Jewish Community Foundation, agency
funds, and contributions by providers. |
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