Suicide & Mental Health Resources
Grant to Bard College helps students address Mental Health Concerns & Stigma
Despite the challenges that COVID-19 has brought to colleges everywhere, JKBF is pleased to share that an exciting mental health and creativity initiative in partnership with Bard College will continue. In years past, JKBF has funded grants to Jamie’s alma mater, Bard College, for scholarship and library funding, as well as outreach and counseling opportunities for […]
A Case Study in the Importance of Integrative Care to Mental and Physical Health and Wellbeing
By Susan Parmelee, LCSW As social workers we have a guiding tenet: “Start where the client is.” In practical terms, this means that if my client is not housed, does not have access to food, or is physically ailing, there is no chance of working on higher level needs through mental health therapy. Addressing the […]
A Co-Response Model That Works: An Interview with Michelle Muething, Executive Director of the Hope Center, on Clinicians and Law Enforcement Responding to Mental Health Crises – Part II
By Fred Bernard, MA In Co-Response, Part I Michelle Muething of the Hope Center discussed the center’s approach to providing crisis services alongside a local police response. In Part II, JKBF talks with Michelle about the opportunities of this approach for other communities, and why she believes pairing, not replacing, is important. JKBF: Are there any high-profile […]
Mental Health and Physical Health – We Need to Advocate for Integrative Care Models
By Susan Parmelee, LCSW As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in mental health services for youth ages 12-25 years old, I spend a lot of time talking to youth and colleagues about mental health and how we can prevent suicide. Suicide remains one of the most difficult challenges in our work due to the […]
A Co-Response Model That Works: An Interview with Michelle Muething, Executive Director of the Hope Center, on Clinicians and Law Enforcement Responding to Mental Health Crises
By Fred Bernard, MA One of the many issues raised in the outcry following the killing of George Floyd has been that the social response to mental health crises, including suicidal ideation and behavior, is often to default to calling the police. In a popular segment on the Floyd protests from Last Week Tonight with […]
Sleep Matters
By Alison Brown, MSc. “O sleep, O gentle sleep, Nature’s soft nurse.” – William Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part 2 Sleep is an elusive, enigmatic activity. According to award-winning author Bill Bryson’s The Body, no one knows exactly why we sleep — to consolidate memories, reset the immune system, restore hormonal balance, or clear metabolic waste and neurotoxins? […]
Why we are talking about Sleep and Suicide
At JKBF we’ve been following the topic of sleep closely, as increasing evidence shows disordered sleep may be a modifiable, biological risk factor for suicide. Since we know that college students often have poor sleep patterns and show increasing levels of mental health concerns, we were pleased to partner with Active Minds to bring sleep […]
Self Care in the time of COVID-19
by Stina Peterson Changes in routine, financial strain and uncertainty, health risks, and even access to toilet paper caused by the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world have brought uncertainty and anxiety upon many of us. While a variety of feelings can arise out of this situation, focusing on the things we can control, […]
For Active Minds, connecting matters
Showing an inspiring commitment to changing the conversation around mental health, the Active Minds National Conference 2020 gathered more than 600 students, counselors, and mental health supporters from across the nation in February. We were pleased to sponsor the conference and join in Bridging Gaps: Changing Culture in the Everyday. A keynote by Frank Warren, […]
Suicide Numbers continue to increase
Today the CDC released their Mortality Statistics for 2018 and once again, the news is sobering. Even though the US death rate decreased by 1.1% and life expectancy showed a marginal improvement, the suicide death rate is up 1.4% to 14.2 deaths per 100,000. Death rates decreased in six categories, and suicide was one of only […]