Ever since JFS’ predecessor, the Ladies Hebrew Association, added “Benevolent” to their name and began serving the community beyond its own members, we have continued to expand our reach to more and more Richmonders in need. In 2019, JFS was particularly concerned with two intertwined problems facing residents of Richmond’s East End: elders with Medicaid […]
Spotlight on JFS Social Workers
The theme of this year’s Social Work Month is #SocialWorkersAreEssential, and JFS is spotlighting our own essential social workers from around the agency! You’ll get a peek into an average day, hear why they decided to become a social worker, and learn what it takes to do the job. Please join us in honoring and […]
Mental Health Tools for a New Year
In the last few months of 2020, JFS Counseling was invited to host mental health “check-ins” for students involved with Hillel at Virginia Tech, staff at the Weinstein JCC, and community members through JCFR. Across the spectrum of age and experience, many concerns were the same: anxiety about the pandemic, difficulty adjusting to new routines, […]
Body image and healthy attitudes
Can I Accept Myself a Little More? Body image and healthy attitudes By: Lynn Mosby, LCSW The last week of February is designated as National Eating Disorders Week (February 25-March 3). This year’s theme is “Let’s Get Real” and hopes to expand our conversation about the realities of eating disorders and encouraging people to […]
Richmond Jewish Care Line: Help is One Phone Call Away
Richmond’s Jewish Care Line, Responding with Care to those in Need. In 2017, all Richmond’s Jewish organizations, Rabbis, and Synagogues, and committed individuals came together to understand and respond to the number of Jewish individuals and families in crisis. What they learned is that across the U.S., many Jewish families or individuals live in or […]
Ending One Year and Starting a New by Theresa Goff, LCSW
Wow! That was fast! Yes, I say that every year. So how did we do with our 2018 goals? Did anyone succeed in starting a positive new habit? How about initially making progress only to abandon efforts when it became too overwhelming? Yeah, me too. Change can be hard, life can be fast and sometimes […]
Managing the ‘Holiday Blues’
The holiday season is a time full of joy, cheer, parties, and family gatherings. For many it is also a time of self-evaluation, loneliness, and anxiety about the future. Struggling with negative feelings during the holidays is referred to as the ‘Holiday Blues.’ What are some of the causes of Holiday Blues? There as many […]
A Word about Suicide Prevention Week from Dr. Guion
Dr. David Guion, PhD, is a clinical psychologist at JFS. September 9 – September 15 is Suicide Prevention Week. This week is a time to continue the discussion to #stopsuicide. This topic has increasingly become in the public eye through the tragic losses this summer of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade. There are no easy […]
Seasonal Mood Changes
By: David Guion, PhD, JFS Clinical Psychologist For many, the summer is an anticipated and enjoyable time, particularly through the extra opportunities to get outdoors and socialize. For others, the summer can be a particularly challenging time, so much so that about 10% of people who have seasonal affective disorder actually get it in the […]
#4Mind4Body, Recommendations by Dr. Guion
By: Dr. David Guion, PhD, JFS clinical psychologist May is Mental Health Awareness month and this year’s theme is Fitness #4Mind4Body. The theme highlights the important and strong connection between physical health and mental health. Mental Health America has a great resource/toolkit at http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may, with fact sheets on diet, sleep, stress, gut health, and exercise, […]