“Be patient, parents”: An Expert’s Tips
Asked for her five best parenting tips, Leah Marcus, Director of Youth Mental Health Services at Jewish Family Service, immediately said, “Be patient. And after that, pause, pause, pause, pause.” She smiled. “Parenting through big emotions is hard. One thing that really helps is staying calm instead of matching a child’s intensity. That’s a skill […]
Helping Youth Starts with Listening
Talking with teens doesn’t have to be complicated, says Leah Marcus, Jewish Family Service’s Director of Youth Mental Health Services. “The Youth Mental Health First Aid class shows that
you don’t need special lingo or to be a professional to help a young person who’s struggling. It’s really abo
At 83, After Immense Loss, Frances Needed Help: “I couldn’t have moved forward without Melissa”
“I felt unanchored and lost. It became too much to carry my own laundry,” said Frances [a pseudonym to protect privacy], remembering.
Portraits of Courage: Uncommon Artists Bond Through a Shared Journey of Resilience
From the moment Jewish Family Service of Cincinnati (JFS) opened Adult Day Services in November 2023, Manager Becky Borello knew that she could inspire the program’s participants—all of whom face
cognitive challenges—through the creative process of making art. “From the beginning, it has been ou
Responding to the Mental Health Crisis: A Call to Action and Hope
Over the past three decades, Leah Marcus, Director of Youth Mental Health Services at Jewish Family Service (JFS), has lost ten high school classmates to suicide or overdose. These tragic deaths
underscore a disturbing reality that is increasing dramatically in the United States: death by suicid
New Service Will Guide Families Through the Youth Mental Health Maze
From modern-day stressors, like social media, 24/7 texting, and constant location
tracking—to more traditional ones, like homework, family turmoil, and bullying—today’s youth are living with a volatile mixture of societal pressures. And though the human psyche is equipped to
handle enormous
‘When You Came It Was Just Like a Lifesaver’: Jewish Family Service Becomes Safety Net for Grandmother
“It was one of my worst times,” says Gloria (identities changed for privacy). The interview takes place in the dining room of her small, freestanding home. There are signs of love all around—lots
of green plants in the windows—but dust piles on the flat surfaces, and the curtains are faded. We a