News & Impact

Ryan had been struggling academically and socially since the beginning of the pandemic. He had looked forward to high school. Now he was spending his first year of high school online, without opportunities to make friends. Academically, Ryan had difficulty with remote learning and continually lost focus, which quickly led to him falling behind. Ryan’s confidence plummeted as he ended the school year with a C average, having been a straight-A student. The teen became withdrawn and severely depressed. Ryan is not alone. This month US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, issued a public health advisory on the mental health challenges… Read More

Susan was sandwiched by family mental health issues. Her father, Mike, had suffered from depression his entire life and now at age 78, was experiencing early signs of dementia. At the same time, Susan’s 12-year-old daughter, Georgia, started to display some concerning behaviors—she wasn’t sleeping, she felt unable to eat, and she started isolating herself from her friends. Susan was overwhelmed by worry as she tried to help her father and daughter through their symptoms, and began to feel alone and hopeless. A friend suggested that Susan reach out to JFCS to talk to a therapist about her stress. When… Read More

Two Stories of Hope and Healing Seven-year-old Maddie didn’t leave her house for an entire year during the pandemic. While her classmates returned to school, Maddie continued learning remotely and recently, everything from schoolwork to getting dressed in the morning has become a painful power struggle with her parents. Anxiety is running high—even though Maddie’s parents are vaccinated against COVID-19 now, the family feel afraid to leave their home. Stephanie Agnew, Interim Director of Parents Place at JFCS’ Center for Children and Youth, is hearing from many children and parents who are suffering from anxiety as life begins to… Read More

Everyone will have a story one day about what changed for them during the pandemic. For David*, almost everything has changed. David’s business has had to close due to the pandemic, and he doesn’t know when he will earn an income again. On top of this, David is going through a difficult divorce, and is suffering from the lack of connection he now has with his two children. Feeling hopeless and alone, David confided in a friend that he wasn’t sure if he wanted go on living. Knowing about JFCS’ teletherapy services for people of all ages, David’s friend immediately… Read More

In the many months since the pandemic crisis began, JFCS’ focus has been crystal clear: no one should feel all alone in their time of great need. We are devoted to helping—by caring for the old and the ill, providing nutritious food, offering expert mental health services, guiding parents and children, giving loans and grants to those struggling, and more. Loneliness was an epidemic in our society even before COVID-19. And now, because we often must physically distance from one another, the risks posed by social isolation and loneliness are even more profound. On September 10, 2020, Dr. Vivek H. … Read More

By Robyn Bloom, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at JFCS Sheltering in place during a pandemic presents a particular—and in many cases brand new—set of challenges for couples. I am guessing you have had moments of anxiety, stress, joy, challenges, losses, silver linings, disappointments, and a myriad of other experiences. Any small differences in your relationship may feel amplified, and you may be struggling in new ways or re-visiting perpetual problems. As a therapist who works with all types of couples, my advice right now is this: it has never been more important for you to deepen your understanding… Read More