Born This Way Foundation’s Post

We so appreciate this essay by Emily Heeren, Director of Programs and Partnerships at BadMidbar — a non-profit organization that provides youth-focused and evidence-based mental health programs and services that integrate Jewish practices, wisdom, and traditions. BaMidbar has also been a long-time partner of JAAN. In her essay, Emily writes about seeing first-hand the impact of the mental crisis on Jewish teens and young adults, and at times feeling at a lost about how to address it. “I’ve spent the last six years working closely and collaborating with BaMidbar’s clinical team: implementing treatment plans, developing ways to leverage Judaism, the natural environment…to help our students and clients explore challenge, resilience and identity,” she writes. “I’m supposed to have answers. People expect me to have ideas about what’s needed; how to help. They want my opinions on ways to fix the ravaged well-being of a generation of teens who’ve been through a pandemic; I’m asked how to bolster a community reeling from the events and global repercussions of a war happening so far away and, at the same time, so close to home.” Emily has come to understand that the current mental health crisis cannot be solved by clinicians alone, and that it will take communities of people engaging with one another to build healthy relationships. “…we do better when we feel safe with and connected to other people,” she writes. “If we can create positive, meaningful, interpersonal connections, we can create caring communities. If we can create caring communities, we can also create communal environments that help individuals grow increasingly resilient over time.” “And what is Judaism, if not an in-depth recipe for community and resilience?” Beautifully said. We encourage you to read Emily’s entire piece here: https://lnkd.in/eC_BQ5b4 #JewishYouth #JewishTeens #JewishMentalHealth

Meet Tongle (📍- Malaysia 🇲🇾) Kindness in Community Fund grantee, Tongle, is dedicated to promoting mental health well-being among youth. Its mission is to create a supportive environment where young people can access the mental health resources they need to thrive. Central to this mission are two key programs: Youth Mental Health Workshops and the Listener App. The Youth Mental Health workshops provide young people with essential skills and knowledge to manage their mental well-being, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence. These workshops cover a range of topics, including to train them as qualified listeners. The Listener App is an innovative peer support platform that is accessible 24/7 globally where trained youth volunteers, known as listeners, offer mental health support to users. These listeners undergo rigorous training to ensure they can provide empathetic and effective support, reinforcing the concept of peer support as a powerful tool for mental health. “Support from the Kindness in Community Fund has been instrumental in expanding these programs. This funding has enabled Tongle to train more youth listeners, enhance the workshop curriculum, and increase the reach of the Listener App, ultimately making mental health resources more accessible to a broader audience and creating a more supportive community for youth.” Learn more about their work supported by the Kindness in Community Fund and how you can get involved: https://lnkd.in/edmX6pjg Cotton On Group + Cotton On Foundation 💛💜

Lefika La Phodiso is a community organisation in Johannesburg that offers trauma-informed services through afterschool programmes to under-resourced children in the inner-city, Sophiatown, Orange Farm and Soweto. Support us here by donating as little as R16 https://lnkd.in/gPHz5W66 1. Holistic Therapeutic Approach We recognise that mental health is interconnected with various aspects of an individual's life, including their cultural background, social environment, and personal experiences. By integrating arts therapies with elements of community engagement and cultural sensitivity, Lefika La Phodiso provides a comprehensive and inclusive therapeutic experience with training, workshops, supervision, low-cost therapy as part of our offering. This approach not only addresses immediate mental health concerns but also contributes to the overall well-being and resilience of individuals within their unique cultural contexts. 2. Community Empowerment and Social Justice Lefika La Phodiso goes beyond traditional therapy by actively engaging with and empowering communities. The organisation's programmes are designed to have a positive social impact by fostering a sense of community, belonging, and support. Through arts-based interventions, individuals are not only given a platform for self-expression but also encouraged to connect with others who may share similar challenges. This community-focused approach not only helps break down stigma associated with mental health but also contributes to the creation of a supportive network that extends beyond the therapeutic sessions. This emphasis on community empowerment makes Lefika La Phodiso's programmes not just a personal journey of healing but a collective effort towards social justice. 3. Trauma-Informed Care and Safe Spaces Lefika La Phodiso's commitment to trauma-informed work and the creation of safe spaces is a cornerstone of its programmes. Recognising the prevalence of trauma and its profound impact on mental health, we ensure that all therapeutic interventions are grounded in trauma-informed principles. This means fostering an environment of safety, trust, and empowerment where individuals feel validated and supported in their healing journey. Lefika La Phodiso goes beyond merely addressing symptoms and actively works to understand the underlying trauma, providing participants with tools to navigate their experiences.

Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day! 🌍Let’s celebrate the importance of accessibility and inclusion ❤️   In a world where so much happens online, it's crucial to remember that not everyone can access the digital world with such ease.    That’s why we’re proud to offer Recite Me assistive tools on our website—empowering every visitor to customise their digital experience according to their unique needs.    Explore these tools here by clicking on ACCESSIBILITY TOOLS option on the top right of the DSC website👇    https://lnkd.in/g2fg_3Aq   #GAAD #GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay #Inclusion    Also, this week marks Mental Health Awareness Week – 13 to 19 May. Join in and help to create a world with good mental health for all.  This year’s theme is movement: moving more for our mental health. Get involved by finding and sharing your moments for movement this Mental Health Awareness Week.  Find out more: mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw The Mental Health Foundation have designated today, Thursday 16 May, as Wear it Green Day. We called for members and staff in Chambers to wear something green in recognition of this day, see some of us in the pic below!   Please consider donating to a mental health charity of your choice in recognition of Mental Health and the vital support platforms/charities.    Some suggested charities are: Samaritans, Mind, Mental Health Foundation, YoungMinds and Rethink Mental Illness.   #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #MomentsForMovement

Hey there! If you live and know anyone residing in South-Side Chicago that this information would be beneficial to, kindly pass down the info and the link. Thank you! Hyde Park Vineyard Community Wellness and Safe Space Support Program We get that life can be tricky sometimes, and especially post-COVID, things GOT pretty overwhelming. But guess what? We're here to support you at the Hyde Park Vineyard Community! We developed a safe and welcoming space for everyone, especially young women and youths who might be going through some challenging times. We're talking stress, demanding situations, homelessness, domestic violence, and more. Our program is tailor-based and wrap-around psychosocial support to help you heal and recover. It's like a warm space where we can walk through those challenges to heal and bounce back, which is more vital than ever. We hold group and one-on-one sessions, and we'll be right by your side to figure out what's been stressing you out and how to find your inner strength. We aim to help you regain your voice and empower you to create a brighter and happier life. Here's a sneak peek of what to expect: - Access to care - Learning life and job skills for self-reliance - Loads of social support - Understanding of how to deal with trauma. - Make safety plans and get educated on how to handle vulnerable situations. - Connecting you with local resources like legal help, counseling, shelters, food, medical supplies, etc. Fill out the intake form https://lnkd.in/egi5qc6D - It takes less than 10 minutes to complete, and someone will contact you with further information about starting the program. Participants are expected to complete a minimum of six (6) week group and personalized sessions. Starting from November 3rd, 2023. If you have any clarifying questions about participation, Feel free to email us at [email protected] Hyde Park, Kenwood, Bronzeville, Southshore, Oakwood, Washington Park, and nearby communities are the catchment areas. The program is organized by The Vineyard Church with support from Family Rescue Chicago, Albert Schweitzer Chicago Area Fellowship, GWEN, and Emerge.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we want to remind all the Queens out there that you are not alone. Our mission is to change the way the world thinks about the mental health of women and young girls. We believe that access to mental health resources should be a basic human right, and we are working to improve access, create safe spaces, and normalize the stigma. Our current healing services for female identified groups include: ✨ FREE 3 Month Therapy Vouchers through our partner BetterHelp 👭 Quarterly Community healing events, stay up to date by turning on your alerts or check out our Events page on our website 💞 Real Talk Program is a cohort peer support group that goes through 10 sessions doing a deep dive into mental health But we can't do it alone. We need your help! 🤝 Volunteer: Help our team plan events, run programming, admin tasks, or become a brand ambassador. We need helping hands to push our mission forward. ♥️ Donating: In order to provide services and support to our community, we need funding! Being able to pay for our events, operations, and mental health practitioners. 🫶🏽 Sharing our posts: Spreading the word helps Real Queens get resources to the one who need it the most. Let others know about us! 👋🏽 Joining our Facebook members group: Be a part of our community! Get first access to event tickets, raffle prizes, support groups, and more! Every action you take helps us get closer to our goal. So let's come together and support each other's mental health during the month of May. Because when we lift each other up, we all shine a little brighter! ✨ Visit our website: Realqueens.org #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #realqueensfixeachotherscrowns #normalizethestigma #accessforall

It's great to see more attention being paid to mental health among folks in the philanthropy community as well as the broader public. However, as with most health issues, if we only wait for problems to arise and purely focus on treatment, we will be running uphill forever. What might it look like to think about a prevention and population health approach to mental health? Why aren't more folks -- in philanthropy and beyond -- talking about upstream opportunities like #earlyrelationalhealth? Thankfully, more funders are indeed looking at Early Relational Health (ERH) as a key tool in our toolbox to improve child and family well-being. This article from 2023 highlights some of my friends at other foundations who are on the journey with me: https://lnkd.in/eBnRkqH6 We welcome others to join us!! 👋 🚂 🙂

Check out my charity The Mindspace Project to learn more 💙 Transforming Wellbeing in Gibraltar with 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 🌟 At The Mindspace Project, we're on a mission to enrich the lives of our 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 — kids, teens, and adults alike. We believe that everyone deserves access to resources that enhance their wellbeing, whether it’s children learning to navigate their emotions or parents seeking guidance on managing behaviour. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵? 🌱 Our philosophy is simple yet powerful, echoing the wisdom of Frederick Douglass: "𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝘅 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀." By investing in our young people, we're not just preventing future crises—we're actively building a foundation of resilience and self-awareness. 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 🤝 Every possible week, we host a free 2-hour therapy session in a local café, providing a relaxed and accessible environment for those in need of a chat or some support. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝘀 While youth empowerment is a cornerstone of our efforts, The Mindspace Project casts a wider net, offering invaluable support to individuals across all life stages. Our approach is holistic and inclusive, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey towards better mental health. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 Be part of a movement that’s all about empowering individuals to take control of their mental health. At The Mindspace Project, we don’t just provide solutions—we inspire lifelong skills and confidence. Together, let’s build a healthier, stronger community. 🌍💪 #themindspaceproject #mentalhealthawareness #adifferentkindofapproach #communitysupport #youthempowerment #wellbeingforall #mindspacegibraltar

If you see a man wearing lipstick today, it may be because he’s Lip-Sticking It to women’s mental health issues 💄 It’s not always easy to put yourself in the spotlight, so kudos to the men who are proudly and unabashedly supporting their mothers, sisters, friends, coworkers (and all other women or womxn) today 💪 We can’t stress enough the importance of making a positive difference to the 1 in 2 Australian women who are experiencing a mental health struggle. ✨ $35 – contributes to awareness campaigns to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. 🧡 $50 - helps fund research analysing anxiety disorders in women and the effects of hormonal contraceptives. ✨ $70 - provides access to a Horse for an Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) Mental Health program for young women. 🧡 $100 – supports a teen girl to complete a school-based mental health prevention and social connection program. ✨ $200 helps fund the Liptember Foundation’s annual women’s mental health research. 🧡 $270 funds the delivery of an online professional training program addressing the psychosocial aspects of prenatal diagnosis for 4 weeks. If you’re taking part today, remember to #LipStickIt and tag @Liptember Foundation 😊 Click on the link in the comments to sign up or donate! It’s not too late to get involved. #LipStickIt #LipStickIt2024 #LiptemberFoundation #Liptember #WomensMentalHealth #DonateNow