THE ROEPER SCHOOL jews d in the sponsored by our community partners Unmasking Anxiety Program to feature fi lm and panel to raise awareness of anxiety disorders. JOYCE WISWELL CONTRIBUTING WRITER A Is your kid a #RoeperKid? Join us for an Open House Lower School (preschool – grade 5): April 20 at 9am ~ or ~ Schedule a Personal Interview & Tour teen n You’ll fi nd 12-year-old Julia either fl ipping through the pages of a science fi ction book or reading sheet music in orchestra at Roeper. The avid reader is involved in book club and has been playing the violin she since she was fi ve years old. Julia also participates in forensics, Roeper’s summer theatre camp and volleyball. English and 3D printing are her favorite classes. Julia says she loves the freedom that students have in classes at Roeper to ask questions that spark meaningful discussions. She wants to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and become a doctor when she’s older. “I just don’t want to be a pediatrician and have to give shots to screaming babies,” says Julia. She imagines she’ll specialize in internal medicine. She’s a #RoeperKid. middle school and high school nxiety has become as tlight o makes it easier for them to o much a part of teen- p s consider moving forward with age life as going to treatment.” prom and learning to drive, mental health Other panelists include and mental health profes- Rabbi Yarden Blumstein, teen sionals say it’s essential to director of the Friendship raise awareness. That’s the Circle; Perry Ohren, chief exec- mission of a movie night and utive officer of Jewish Family panel discussion presented Service of Metropolitan by the Jewish Community Detroit; and Rabbi Jeremy Center’s Opening the Doors Baruch, M.D., psychiatry resi- program on Sunday, March dent at Michigan Medicine. 18. Ellen Maiseloff, M.A., senior The evening at Adat director of special needs Shalom Synagogue in at Opening the Doors, said Farmington Hills includes a two lay organizations asked screening of the documenta- Ellen Maiseloff her to show Angst as part of ry Angst: Raising Awareness Jewish Disability Awareness Around Anxiety and a panel and Inclusion Month, which discussion with five profes- began in February and has spilled sionals emphasizing the film’s mes- over into March. sage that anxiety disorders are real, “This is part of our mission of common and treatable — and need empowering, inspiring and sup- to be talked about. porting our children and families,” “This is super-relevant. Anxiety Maiseloff said. “The documentary affects nearly one-third of adults shows how people can be empow- and adolescents,” said Jessica Purtan ered and seek help. We would love to Harrell, Ph.D., a psychologist who have teens attend as well as parents, specializes in OCD (obsessive-com- teachers, social workers and mental pulsive disorder) with a private prac- health professionals.” tice in Farmington Hills. “What I see Blumenstein-Bott hopes the event in my practice is an overwhelming pressure for young people to perform raises awareness about the pres- sures young people face “to push it academically, athletically, profes- out more so it’s not talked about in sionally and on social media, and hushed tones.” the competition seems to be getting Purtan Harrell said attendees will stronger every year. It’s much more learn a lot about anxiety and ways to prevalent than in the past, and there treat it. “This program will let people is also more reporting of it.” know there are options beyond medi- Another panelist, Lori cation, such as exposure-based ther- Blumenstein-Bott, MSW, LMSW, apy,” she said. “Therapy and medica- agrees. “Anxiety has taken over our young people and is creating all sorts tion can work beautifully together.” Doors open at 6 p.m. for registra- of havoc,” said the executive director tion. The 56-minute film screens at of the Andrew Kukes Foundation for 7 p.m. and the panel discussion and Social Anxiety in West Bloomfield. dessert follow. There will also be a “This movie is really well done and resource fair with information tables this is the perfect event for teens to from sponsors. Admission is $5. For attend. They don’t have to talk or more information, contact Shoshana participate but can take things in at Baruch at (248) 432-5543 or their own pace. Just that ability to sbaruch@jccdet.org. • talk about mental health issues in www.roeper.org Educating and inspiring gifted students to think as individuals and to engage as a community with compassion for each other and this world THE ROEPER SCHOOL IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION 18 March 15 • 2018 jn Rabbi Yarden Blumstein Jessica Purtan Harrell Lori Blumenstein- Bott Perry Ohren Rabbi Jeremy Baruch, M.D.