jews d

in
the

teen

n

tlight o
o
p
s

mental health

Teens
Making
A Difference

UMatter group gets grant to continue
challenging stigma, helping teens in need.

In times of uncertainty or change,
help is just a call or click away.

Introducing

Jewish Detroit’s New Resource for
Connecting You to the Help You Need

If you or someone you know could use some assistance,

the Jewish community is here to help. One call or visit to

our website is all it takes to connect you to the resources

that can make a difference.

1-833-44J-HELP

jhelp.org

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

U

Matter, a teen-led organiza-
tion devoted to helping local
teens who are struggling with
depression and other mental health
issues, recently received a $10,000
grant from the Michigan Association
for Suicide Prevention.
Guided by Friendship Circle Teen
Director Rabbi Yarden Blumstein,
UMatter uses a peer-to-peer model
wherein teens help
their fellow students
to overcome stigmas
and other obstacles
related to mental
health, so they can
get the help they
need.
Under the aus-
Rabbi Yarden
pices
of Friendship
Blumstein
Circle of Michigan,
Friendship House
and the Andrew Kukes Foundation of
Social Anxiety, UMatter is comprised
of student representatives from high
schools throughout Metro Detroit.
The goal is to bring teens from a place
of extreme isolation and depression to
a place of hope and inclusion.
At a recent UMatter leadership
board meeting attended by students
from several local high schools, the
teens spoke about some of the issues
they face. These included issues
related to the widespread use of social
media, communication obstacles with
parents and other adults, the stigma
surrounding mental health challenges,
and the number of teens in their cir-
cles who are suffering from depression
and suicidal thoughts.
While most of the teens in the
group said they felt comfortable talk-
ing to their parents about difficult
subjects, many would like their par-
ents to be more open about their own
problems and challenges.
Hannah Passer of Bloomfield Hills
High School said that because many
mental health issues are hereditary,

kids should be informed about their
parents’ struggles.
“Parents should learn to talk to
us about mental health and other
important topics,”
said Nicole Kahan,
a Frankel Jewish
Academy student
who serves as presi-
dent of this year’s
teen advisory board.
The teens also
coordinate UMatter
Nicole Kahan
Weeks at various
high schools, funded
by a grant from
the Jewish Fund Teen Board. These
week-long events consist of teacher
TEDTalks, hall decorations, an essay
contest and trainings for SafeTALK,
a suicide prevention program that
teaches participants to notice cues
and seek help for someone who may
be thinking of suicide.
“If we’re aware of signs, we need to
convey that information,” said George
Victor, who attends
Frankel Jewish
Academy.
The teens aim to
spread the message
that every person
matters uncondi-
tionally and that
every person can
George Victor
make a difference to
someone else.
“Every word you
say to somebody
counts,” said Jessica
Menuck, a senior
at Frankel Jewish
Academy. “We can’t
always do an event
or get the whole
Jessica Menuck
community together,
but we can always
say ‘hi’ or ask people
how they’re doing.”
West Bloomfield High School,

continued on page 22

jn

February 15 • 2018

21

