KCteen, an independent Jewish Youth group in Kansas City, is partnering with JFS to bring a new mental health resource to the Kansas City community.
On Oct. 23, 30, and Nov. 6, the agencies will host teen mental health first aid (TMHFA) training for local area Jewish teenagers in grades 10-12. The three-part training from the National Council of Mental Wellbeing teaches teens how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their friends and peers. The sessions will be facilitated by KCteen Directors Rabbi Avremi and Mushky Baron.
After the tragic loss of life of a local area teenager, Rabbi and Mushky Baron sought a resource to address mental health needs on a bigger scale.
“During the first year of the pandemic, teens' brains aged faster,” Rabbi Baron said. “At the same [time], they did not have the social and emotional interactions or skills to support their new reality. Then they were thrust back into their communities, just as isolated and alone as before. Add in the stress of social media, where teenagers have access to infinite images and narratives of the perfect life, and is it any wonder that so many of our youth are struggling with their mental health?
“JFS has been the agency for mental health in our community for over 100 years,” he continued. “We knew we needed a serious partner to take on the challenge with us, and JFS, with their extensive experience and plethora of resources, was the perfect organization to take this initiative to the next level.”
JFS Family Life Educator Jodi Peremuter said, “88% of teens struggling with their mental health turn to their peers, not to adults. Teenagers need more tools to support themselves and each other. TtMHFA is an action-based curriculum. Teens will be given real life scenarios and be asked to respond. The end goal, similar to classic first aid, is to train teenagers to be the experts in supporting each other in mental health needs.”
The three-session training program will be held at the KCteen’s Teen Center located at 6450 Sprint Pkwy Suite I, Overland Park. Students must register in advance for the training and must attend all three sessions to become certified in the program. Registration is at kcjewishteens.org/tmhfa.
This training is held in memory of Michael Keleti.
The trainings are open to teenagers within the Kansas City Jewish community, and KCteen will be offering additional opportunities for specific, organization-based training for youth groups, schools and synagogues on request. Trainings can be arranged by emailing Rabbi Baron at .
“Together, we can make the world a better, brighter place for our youth and literally save lives,” Rabbi Baron said.
Contact Perelmuter at or call (913) 327-8259 for additional information about this program.
