NJ Jewish News Publishes HFNJ Op-Ed on Philanthropy’s Role in Addressing Youth Mental Health Crisis
January 6, 2023New Jersey Jewish News has published an Op-Ed by The Healthcare Foundation of NJ’s Executive Director/CEO Michael Schmidt and Grants Administrator Kevin McManemin on the important role philanthropy can play in addressing the unprecedented mental health crisis among young people. In particular, the piece details how funders – both locally in the Jewish Greater MetroWest community and nationwide – have supported innovative programs that help children and teens maintain positive mental health and build resilience.
The Op-Ed covers several projects that The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey has supported since the pandemic that focus on the mental health needs of youth. These include UMatter @ Lifetown, an evidence-based suicide prevention and mental health support program; Golda Och Academy and Gottesman RTW Academy’s expanded student supports for emotional well-being; JCC of Central NJ’s hiring of a social worker to care for campers and counselors at their summer Camp Yachad; and Jewish Family Service of MetroWest training educators and caregivers on mental health.
The article notes the importance of a community-based, comprehensive approach toward addressing mental health in our youth.
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