Mental health support service launches dedicated Jewish university student helpline
JStudent is live and accessible to Jewish students across all UK campuses
JTeen has launched the UK’s first dedicated mental health support service specifically designed for Jewish university students.
The charity already runs a confidential helpline for those aged 11-20 which won “Helpline of the Year 2024”.
The launch of JStudent comes as recent data from Mental Health UK reveals that 42% of students report serious personal, emotional, or mental health challenges, while the Community Security Trust documents a 117% increase in antisemitic incidents at UK universities over the past two years.
JStudent offers confidential support through both traditional helpline and digital channels; access to volunteer counsellors and qualified therapists who understand the unique challenges Jewish students face; specialised training in university-specific issues and planned on-campus wellbeing workshops.
The service plans to expand the initiative to include in-person counselling services.
Psychotherapist Yaakov Barr, chief executive of JTeen, said: “Jewish students today face a complex web of challenges – from academic pressure and social isolation to rising antisemitism on campus. JStudent isn’t just another helpline; it’s a comprehensive support system created specifically for Jewish students, staffed by professionals who understand their unique experiences and concerns.”
The service brings together an experienced team of volunteer counsellors, therapists, safeguarding leads, and trained supervisors, all committed to providing culturally sensitive, professional support when students need it most.
Saul Kelly, JTeen trustee, adds: “Every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and heard. JStudent represents more than just a support service – it’s a lifeline for Jewish students who may feel isolated in their struggles. We’re not just offering help; we’re building a community of support.”
- JStudent is now live and accessible to Jewish students across all UK universities. Students can access support through: Text & WhatsApp support: 0786 006 5192 | Website: https://jteen.co.uk/
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
