A way forward for young Jews suffering poor mental health

Patrons at a fundraising dinner for Jami heard first-hand about the ongoing crisis for Jewish teens suffering from poor mental health and the need for better support provision.

Around 70 guests at the charity’s first in-person dinner since the pandemic heard from director of services Louise Kermode, who highlighted the positive impact of its children and young person’s pilot service. Launched in May, the scheme for 11-18 year olds is already making a difference to 40 children, including students from JCoSS.

They also heard directly from Sophia Graham, who benefited from Jami’s services.

She described the harrowing impact of living with mental illness for 15 years and how a combination of the right medication and “genuine, effective, appropriate and consistent support” from Jami, mean she is now much more stable, close to being symptom-free and has a support network that she trusts wholeheartedly.

Jami needs to raise £4 million to deliver their planned services this year, including the extension of the pilot service in spring 2023 to help greater numbers of young people.