Teen + Young Adult Mental Health Initiative
The JCC's Teen + Young Adult Mental Health Initiative is dedicated to supporting the mental wellness of our community's teens and young adults through specialty programming, events, and referral services.
Referrals
Social work staff can provide short-term support, and tailored referrals for therapists, psychiatrists, and support groups. Email Naomi Skop Richter, LCSW to make an appointment for an individualized consultation resulting in a personalized referral for mental health support.
The JCC partners below offer easy and affordable mental health referrals:
Manhattan Psychology Group (MPG)
MMJCCM's Teen + Young Adult Mental Health Initiative partners with MPG to offer exclusive discounts for group and individual therapy. New clients referred through JCC Manhattan qualify for 50% off all groups and $100 off individual therapy by clinical trainees. Clinical trainees include Post-Doctoral Fellows and clinical externs and Interns.
Jewish Board of Children & Family Services
The JCC can screen and make direct referrals to the Jewish Board of Children & Family Services, which accepts most major insurances.
Contact Naomi to learn more about these services and initiate a referral.
Youth Programs + Events
Youth programming for middle and high school students focuses on mental wellness with classes and groups in modalities including fitness, the arts, and experiential education. Teen programs are guided by the JCC Teen Advisory Council (TAC) – a group of teens dedicated to the JCC teen community. The complete list of programs for this age group can be found here.
Young Adult Programs + Events
Young adults are invited to participate in exclusive career cohorts to support wellness and one-off events. Past events include yoga classes, a mindfulness retreat, Anxious + Ambitious: A 20s +30s Career Cohort and Fully Charged: Adulting 101 in the Post-College Year. All young adult programming collaborates with The Selma and Lawrence Ruben Center for 20s + 30s. Contact Naomi to learn more about current offerings.
Parent Groups + Workshops
A unique parent support group exclusively for parents of tweens and teens led by therapists, social workers, and mindfulness practitioners helps parents learn about this developmental phase and gives them tools and personal insight to be the best parents they can be. Contact Naomi to learn more about current offerings.
Professional Development
Workshops for mental health professionals and educators give professionals insight into mental health concerns and adolescent development. The JCC sponsors an annual conference for professionals focused on Youth Mental Health. See below for information about previous conferences. Save the Date for the upcoming conference on Monday, March 3, 2024, at The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. Details will be announced in January.
March 2024
Youth Development and Well-being Conference: Conversation. Connection. Collaboration.
March 2023
Supporting Youth Mental Health: Challenges Resilience, and Growth
Support Resources
If you know a teen struggling with anxiety, sadness, low self-esteem, or another mental health concern, reach out to Naomi Skop Richter, LCSW, who is available for individual consultation to make referrals for mental health support.
National + Local Emergency Crisis Services: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call or Text 988 (For U.S.)
Crisis Text Line: Text "Home" to 741741
Trevor Project (crisis and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth)
1-866-488-7386 (TrevorLifeline)
Text START to 678678 (TrevorText)