Throughout the pandemic, we’ve all been focused on our physical health. It is equally important to take care of your mental health—perhaps now more than ever! According to Mental Health America, even before COVID-19, the prevalence of mental illness among adults was increasing. Because of the pandemic, the number of people looking for help with anxiety and depression has skyrocketed. And the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) reports: “Between August 2020 and February 2021, the percentage of U.S. adults reporting recent symptoms associated with an anxiety or depressive disorder increased from 36.4% to 41.5%.”

During Mental Health Awareness Month—and every month—Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) is here to support you, wherever you are in your mental health journey. You are not alone. Below are a variety of ways our compassionate therapists can help you and your family members. Our services are available to people of all faiths, races, ages, incomes, and abilities.

Mental Health Specialists

Many individuals are experiencing relationship issues, anxiety or depression, grief, parenting issues, or trauma. If you can relate, JFS Mental Health Specialists can help! Our licensed, masters-degreed professional therapists assist people at all stages of life with skilled, compassionate, and confidential counseling. In addition, we provide mental health care for the Russian-speaking immigrant population in their native language. Don’t let cost be a barrier! We offer a sliding-fee schedule for those with limited financial resources and accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Currently our sessions are offered on the phone or video via teletherapy. We will have in-person options again when it is safe.

Joshua has been seeing Matthew, one of our Mental Health Specialists, for weekly EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) sessions since last summer and shares, “I have processed through the most difficult events from my childhood thus far, and I am sincerely grateful for my therapist for guiding me through this journey of healing and self-improvement. Matthew has been genuine, sincere, and caring, which has created a comfortable environment that is ultimately conducive for positive change. One of the most tangible outcomes that has resulted from my EMDR therapy is the shift in my self-image and the restoration of my self-esteem.” 

Boulder County Crisis Counseling Program

If you are a Boulder County resident and have been impacted by the 2020 Cal-Wood and Lefthand Canyon wildfires, mass shooting, or the COVID-19 pandemic, you could qualify for free therapy sessions. JFS and Community Foundation Boulder County have partnered to offer up to $500 towards five individual counseling sessions (a maximum of $100 per session), or up to $875 towards five family counseling sessions (a maximum of $175 per session) and provide a pool of licensed providers from which to choose.

Counseling for Older Adults

Many older adults need help coping with life’s transitions that come with aging, which may include grief, loss, social isolation, sadness, depression, and/or anxiety. Our therapists are licensed clinical social workers with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. We collaborate closely with families, physicians, and other community resources, including the large range of other JFS services, as appropriate. If you or a loved one could benefit from compassionate counseling, please contact us today!

School-Based Mental Health

If you have children who attend a Denver Public School, there may be a JFS therapist working there! We place KidSuccess therapists in schools throughout the Denver metro area to provide free mental health services to students and their families. Throughout the year, our therapists have also offered free virtual parenting workshops, classes, and activities open to everyone. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for upcoming events. Through our International KidSuccess program, we provide culturally sensitive school-based counseling services that help refugee children and adolescents adjust to their new school, culture, and home in the United States.

Refugee Mental Health

Did you know that JFS offers individual and family counseling to refugees to help them adjust to life in Colorado? Imagine how scary and confusing it would be to navigate a new country in an unfamiliar language, figure out healthcare, and more, especially if you’re coming from a traumatic situation in your home country. Our Refugee Mental Health program is staffed with highly skilled, culturally aware psychotherapists who specialize in treating people from diverse backgrounds with mental health needs. The psychotherapists, psychiatrist, interpreters, and navigators work as a team, as well as in collaboration with other organizations in the community to provide wrap-around services for refugees, thus addressing their physical and emotional needs.

Support Groups

In partnership with other community organizations, JFS currently offers an online grief support group open to all members of the Jewish community and a virtual drop-in support group for adult children concerned about their aging parents.

As you can see, whatever age or stage of life you’re in, it is important to focus on your mental health, and our therapists can help! Not sure where to start? Begin by calling or emailing our Central Intake Specialist at 720.248.4701 or centralintake@jewishfamilyservice.org.

If you are having a life-threatening emergency, or you need immediate assistance, please call 911 or Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners at 844.493.TALK (8255).

Have you benefitted from JFS mental health services? Share your story!