Community > Get Support > Disability Services > Mental Health Awareness > Mental Health Awareness – Youth Professionals and Educators

Mental Health Awareness

Resources for Youth Professionals and Educators

Greater MetroWest ABLE has been dedicated to raising awareness and eliminating stigma surrounding mental illness. As a vigilant advocate for our Jewish community, ABLE stands on the front lines advocating for a day when no individual or family will struggle alone. Greater MetroWest ABLE, in partnership with Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ and the Eric Eliezer Levenson Foundation for Hope, has compiled a Mental Health Resource Guide with information, guidance, and resources to help navigate the services available to those in our community.

In response to the national mental health crisis our teens and young adults are experiencing, we have developed a directory of specific resources addressing the needs of this age group. Please see the resources for Youth Professionals and Educators below. Use them, share them and let us know if there are additional resources we might want to consider.

Additional resources include Resources for:

Please note the following designations:

  • LJ indicates a local Jewish community resource
  • L indicates a local resource
  • J indicates a Jewish community resource
  • N indicates a national resource

Crisis Resources

988 – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988. 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. While some areas may be currently able to connect to the Lifeline by dialing 988, this dialing code will be available to everyone across the United States starting on July 16, 2022. The previous Lifeline phone number (1-800-273-8255) will always remain available to people in emotional distress or suicidal crisis.

Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. Free 24/7 support at your fingertips. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained crisis counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform.

National Drug Helpline – 1-844-289-0879. A free, confidential, 24/7 drug and alcohol hotline that can help you start your journey towards a better future. The helpline is open to everyone. Call the hotline to get information for yourself or a friend or family member.

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) – 1-800-931-2237. Supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures, and access to quality care.

Trevor Project TrevorLifeline – 1-866-488-7386 / Text START to 678-678. Provides LGBTQ youth with 24/7 crisis counseling via phone, text, and chat. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S. It is 100% confidential, and 100% free.

General Mental Health Resources

#BeThe1To (N) – Resources to be the one to help save a life. We all can take action to prevent suicide.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (N) – The New Jersey Chapter is fueled by the mission to save lives by providing education and support, focusing on eliminating the loss of life from suicide by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide.

The Balanced Mind (N) – A project of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

BaMidbar (J)Addresses mental health and wellness in the Jewish community through a three-pronged approach for Jewish youth and young adults. We focus on mental health prevention, education, and treatment.

BBYO Center for Adolescent Wellness (J)Provides services in the areas of policy development, consultation, and support, and training and education.

Be Well Initiative (J)Empowering professionals, parents, and young people through tools, resources, and evidence-based trainings and skill-building workshops. We provide the tools for caregiving adults and educators to learn how to identify and respond when someone is struggling. We can work with you to offer a variety of low or no-cost trainings for educators, professionals and parents.

Best Colleges Suicide Prevention Guide (N) – Research indicates that more and more college students are thinking about suicide. Learn how to recognize the warning signs and get help.

The Blue Dove Foundation (J)Provide educational and informational resources, direct financial support and loans for those seeking treatment, and collaborative programs with schools, synagogues, and community centers.

Born This Way Foundation (N) – Supports the mental health of young people and works with them to build a kinder and braver world. Through high-impact programming, youth-led conversations, and strategic, cross-sectoral partnerships, the Foundation aims to make kindness cool, validate the emotions of young people, and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health.

Chabad – Mental Health Resources (J)A collection of tips, personal reflections, and professional guidance, and Torah perspective to provide you with inspiration and tools in your quest for mental wellness.

Educating the Educators (N) – Educating the Educators (ETE) is a program developed by NAMI New Jersey to enlighten/inform educators about mental illness and present practical tools to help motivate children with social and emotional disorders. Most children with these disorders are bright and creative. Many are gifted with extraordinary talents waiting to be explored. But they are often hindered by the exhaustion of the constant struggle to cope with the effects of their disorder.

Every Mind Matters (N) – “Every Mind Matters” (EMM) is a mental illness education program of NAMI New Jersey targeted to children in Grades 5-9. This program is designed to teach children the importance of taking care of their mental health, as well as their physical health. EMM explains the meaning of stigma and how we can stamp out stigma related to persons with disabilities. The program also teaches about famous people who have made great contributions to our society, despite their disabilities.

Foundation for Jewish Camps – Mental Health Initiatives (J)Emerging Issues study, growing awareness and evolving complexity of mental health challenges in our society necessitates camps proactively support the mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) needs of every community member. FJC’s efforts aim to build stronger, more inclusive, and resilient Jewish camps and communities year-round. FJC’s current mental health initiatives, curriculum and offerings can be found here.

Here Now (J)A teen-led online and in-person initiative promoting mental health, well-being, and resilience through innovative content and creativity.

Hillel Student Mental Health Resources (J)Hillel cares about you! If you are struggling or need assistance, there are resources available to support you and your well-being.

Jed Foundation (N) – Provides essential information about common emotional health issues and shows teens and young adults how they can support one another, overcome challenges, and make a successful transition to adulthood.

JFS of Central NJ (LJ)Offers evidenced based behavioral health services provided by licensed clinicians. Dedicated and compassionate clinicians work with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults through virtual and in-person therapy.

JFS MetroWest (LJ)Offers individual and family counseling services help children, teens, adults, couples, older adults and families develop strategies to cope with their mental health and emotional well-being. Provides workshops for teens, professionals and parents.

JProactive (N) – Project Proactive aims to break mental health (and related) stigmas while proactively alleviating barriers to health and wellness through awareness, advocacy, and education.

Mental Health in the Jewish Community Facebook Group (J) This group is meant to be a safe and confidential space to discuss issues, offer support, ask questions, and share resources related to mental health in the Jewish community.

Mental Health Help (N) – Provides national talk lines, crisis lines, and resources for young people looking for help for their mental health.

NAMI Basics & NAMI Basics on Demand (N)NAMI Basics is a NAMI signature education program for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses. The course is taught by trained teachers who are the parent or other caregivers of individuals who developed the symptoms of mental illness prior to the age of 13 years. All instruction and course materials are free to class participants.

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing (N)Search for organizations that are committed to providing mental health services to anyone in the community who needs it regardless of ability to pay.

National Eating Disorders Association (N)1-800-931-2237, Text NEDA 741741. Contact the NEDA Helpline for support, resources, and treatment options for yourself or a loved one who is struggling with an eating disorder. Helpline volunteers are trained to help you find the support and information you need.

OKclarity (J) A peer-to-peer mental health support community for the Jewish world. The community forum and professional directory connects members with social and professional supports, empowering users to move towards greater emotional, physical, and holistic health.

Orthodox Union – Mental Health Resources (J)Placing a focus on our mental health and the mental health of family and friends. We hope you find the resources provided here insightful, practical and meaningful.

Reconstructing Judaism – Mental Health Resources (J)Articles, videos, and blogs related to mental health and well-being

Refuat Hanefesh (J)An organization dedicated to decreasing the stigma surrounding mental illness through conversation and education, while providing a safe place for those affected to seek support and advice.

Seize the Awkward (N)Be the Friend Who Listens. Starting a conversation about mental health does not need to be uncomfortable, and it can make all the difference. Check out these resources to learn how to support a friend – or get help for yourself.

Shiv’s Third Eye (L) Works to drive out the myths , stigma and bring in the awareness, education, support, and hope for adolescent mental health.

Teen Talk *share this app with teens in your life* (N)Teen Talk is a free mobile app that helps teens get social and emotional support from a group of people they trust most: their peers. Local teens can also be trained to answer the call!

Touching the Heart (J)A text-messaging program provides messages of support and well-being for high school seniors through graduate school, as well as young professionals and parents.

Understood.org (N)Providing resources and support so people who learn and think differently can thrive — in school, at work, and throughout life.

Union for Reform Judaism – Mental Health Resources (J)Hotline and crisis resources in the United States and Canada compiled by the Union for Reform Judaism.

United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism – Mental Health Resources (J)USCJ created a Mental Wellbeing Assessment to enable congregational leaders to assess how they are addressing their own community’s needs.

Youth.gov (N)Provides resources, information, different agencies, articles, and videos relating to substance use disorders and young people’s mental health and wellness.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training (LJ)Certification course for adults engaging with young people, providing mental health awareness and suicide prevention training.

Youth Mental Health Project (L)The Youth Mental Health Project™ envisions a world where people are just as aware of their mental well-being as they are of physical well-being so we have created this pledge and helpful, printable takeaways.

LGBTQ+ Resources

JFS of Central NJ (LJ) – Offers evidenced based behavioral health services provided by licensed clinicians. Dedicated and compassionate clinicians work with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults through virtual and in-person therapy.

JFS MetroWest (LJ) – Offers individual and family counseling services help children, teens, adults, couples, older adults and families develop strategies to cope with their mental health and emotional well-being. Provides workshops for teens, professionals and parents.

JQ Helpline (J) – Call or text 855-JQI-HLPS (855-574-4577) The Jewish Queer International Helpline provides inclusive support and resources for LGBTQ+ Jews, their families, and allies. Be sure to check out the JQ Helpline Community Resource Manual.

JQY (J) – Supports and empowers LGBTQ+ Jewish youth with a special focus on teens and young adults from Orthodox, Chassidic, and Sephardi/Mizrahi communities.

Keshet (J) – Hotline: 724-374-3501. Works for the full equality of all LGBTQ Jews and their families in Jewish life. Creates spaces in which all queer Jewish youths feel seen and valued in addition to other work outside of teens.

Healthy Relationships Resources

JFS of Central NJ (JL) – Offers evidenced based behavioral health services provided by licensed clinicians. Dedicated and compassionate clinicians work with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults through virtual and in-person therapy.

JFS MetroWest (JL) Offers individual and family counseling services help children, teens, adults, couples, older adults and families develop strategies to cope with their mental health and emotional well-being. Provides workshops for teens, professionals and parents.

Project SARAH Next Step (JL) – Project SARAH’s Next Step program for high school students focuses on the importance of mental health and healthy relationships.

Rachel Coalition – In Her Shoes (JL) – In Her Shoes is an experiential and interactive workshop which allows individuals to experience what a victim of domestic violence has to do once she decides to reach out for help.

Substance Misuse Resources

Birthright Israel Recovery Trip (J) – A free trip for Jewish people in recovery. The Recovery trip aims to reconnect young people in recovery or impacted by an addiction with their Jewish heritage and reclaim their role as active members in the Jewish community.

Communities Confronting Substance Abuse (JL) – A not-for-profit organization founded with the goal of creating stigma-free Jewish communities through awareness, education and prevention programming regarding substance use and addiction. CCSA Support Group for loved ones of those suffering from substance misuse or addiction is held virtually.

Head’s Up (N)– Provides videos, interactive games, fact sheets, and information about different substances and mental health issues for students of all ages, parents, and teachers.

Jewish Addiction Awareness Network (JAAN) (J) – Works with clergy, community organizations and leaders, families, and individuals across the U.S. , focusing on addiction education, awareness, advocacy, stigma reduction, the intersection of Judaism and recovery, and supporting those in crisis.

National Drug Helpline (N) – 1-844-289-0879. A free, confidential, 24/7 drug and alcohol hotline that can help you start your journey towards a better future. The helpline is open to everyone. You can call the hotline to get information for yourself or a friend or family member.

Natural High (N) – Combines storytelling with scientific research to create resources for teens, parents, and educators to help young people find their true passions, and promote activities that uplift, motivate, and inspire them to live their healthiest, drug-free life.

NIDA for Teens (N) – Provides interesting and easy-to-understand scientific facts for teens. All research is for teens and about teens, and is a valuable source of information for anyone looking to learn more about substance use and addiction.

Our Jewish Recovery (J) – Supports Jews in recovery, and their loved ones, and to help us all find experience, strength, and hope. Welcome Jews dealing with any and all addictions, Jewish educators looking to understand addiction and bring recovery to their communities, and Jewish and non-Jewish allies who wish to share the journey of recovery with them.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (N) – Provide information on mental health services and treatment centers through an on-line service locator. Search by your location, whether or not they provide services for youth, payment options, languages spoken, etc.

Trevor Project TrevorLifeline – 1-866-488-7386 / Text START to 678-678. Provides LGBTQ youth with 24/7 crisis counseling via phone, text, and chat. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S. It is 100% confidential, and 100% free.