News

September 09, 2020

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 […]

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September 04, 2020

Pencils, Pens, and Birthdays

Today marks what would have been Jamie Bernard’s 33rd birthday. It has been 10 years since he left us. Recently we came across this article about the allure of pencils highlighting a book titled Pencils You Should Know, and it sparked thoughts about Jamie. Colored pencils were one of Jamie’s preferred mediums, as depicted on this […]

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September 03, 2020

A Day In the Life of My Pen

by Jamie Bernard, April 2005 Life sucks, for I am a pen. I cannot sing, and I have no arms or legs. I cannot do anything except be turned about on my head to spurt ink about a piece of paper. I suppose I have it better than some. Not being a pencil, I do […]

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August 31, 2020

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 […]

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August 25, 2020

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 […]

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August 24, 2020

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 […]

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