YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
if someone is struggling, IT'S NEVER TOO SOON TO HELP.
“One in five American children either presently, or at some point in their life, will be diagnosed with a treatable mental health condition.”
-Leah Marcus, Director, Youth Mental Health Services
For some years now, the mental health needs of youth, teens, and young adults have gained increasing national attention. Sadly, the challenges kids face were only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the greater Cincinnati Jewish community, youth, parents, and professionals have consistently expressed a need for greater awareness of mental health conditions—and a desire for more training and tools to manage these conditions. Youth Mental Health Services provides the support, treatment, and guidance needed to meet the unmet mental health needs so prevalent in our community.
Embedded Mental Health Care
Our trained youth mental health clinicians are fully embedded within the appropriate organizations across the greater Cincinnati Jewish community. They are ready and available to work with youth, teens, young adults, and their families—whether the need is for one-on-one counseling, or small-group therapy done in collaboration with community partners. Depending on specific needs, our clinicians can provide personal counseling services, or refer clients to outside counseling or associated services. The Jewish Family Service Youth Mental Health team also works with organizational leadership to enhance the social and emotional culture of the organization in which they are embedded.
Currently, our clinicians are working with several Jewish community organizations, schools, and programs, including:
- Ohr Torah
- Rockwern Academy
- Camp at the J
- BBYO
- ish
- Issac M. Wise Temple
- Hebrew High School (KFA: Kulanu/Mercaz)
For more information, contact Leah Marcus, Director, Youth Mental Health Services at 513-766-3308, or email Leah Marcus at lmarcus@jfscinti.org.
Mental Health Care Coordination
Determining the kind of help your child needs, and finding the right mental health professional can be overwhelming—especially during a crisis. Our Youth Mental Health clinicians can help connect you with the most appropriate treatment resources available. We’ll help you find exactly what you need. To take that first step, contact the Jewish Family Service Help Line at 513-469-1188 and select Option #7, or email Leah Marcus at lmarcus@jfscinti.org.
Local Professionals, National Training and Resources
Jewish Family Service of the Cincinnti Area is participating in the national BeWell initiative. BeWell is a mental health initiative organized by Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) and the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA) that focuses on supporting mental health training and creating resources to help 12-26-year-olds with their mental health and overall well-being. Importantly, all the resources are infused with Jewish values and designed to offer serious help.
Resources