program has seen significant 
progress in addressing its 
three programmatic pillars: 
awareness, knowledge and 
skills, and access. 
“Since its inception, 
nearly 1,000 community 
professionals have been 
trained in mental health and 
suicide alertness trainings,” 
she said. 
JFS recently hired a suicide 
prevention coordinator, 
Mayim Meyers, who will 
specifically focus on suicide 
prevention in the Metro 
Detroit Jewish community. 
Cohen says in the next 
couple months, she and 
Meyers will be trained in 
ASIST, a two-day, intensive 
suicide prevention training, 
to help their efforts.

Meyers started in January 
and said she has many hopes 
for the role. 
“My hope is to be one 
of the point people in the 
community to help support 
those who are 
in an acute 
crisis,” she said. 
“And I want to 
help the various 
organizations 
throughout 
Detroit know 
where to go and what to 
do if someone does report 
ideation, if it feels like a 
family member is in crisis. 

Or, if something does 
happen, how they can 
support the people who 
have lost a friend or family 
member.” 
Meyers said that she 
believes a person whose job 
is solely based on suicide 
prevention is a step forward. 
“It throws the word into 
everyday dialogue, which 
helps to destigmatize it,” 
she said. “It also makes it 
approachable to people who 
may not be going through 
a difficult time themselves, 
but they know someone 
who is and they want to be 

a support for those people. 
They know where to turn.” 
Especially with how tough 
the past two years have been 
with the pandemic, Meyers’ 
advice to anyone struggling 
is to simply reach out to 
someone, whether it be 
through the many resources 
at JFS, another community 
organization or their rabbi.
“Get that conversation 
started,” she said. “There 
are resources available, and 
you’re not alone.” 

If you or someone you know are 

in crisis, call the National Suicide 

Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK 

(8255), or text the Crisis Text Line 

(text HELLO to 741741). For the many 

services JFS offers, visit jfsdetroit.org/

find-help/mental-health-and-wellness/ 

or call (248) 592-2313.

FEBRUARY 24 • 2022 | 33

Mayim 
Meyers

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6405 Telegraph Rd

(just north of Maple Rd.)
Monday-Friday 8am-8pm
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(248) 997-4690
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Dr. Robert Cohen
one of our emergency 
physician owners

“IF I’VE LEARNED ONE THING IN 
CLOSE TO 50 YEARS, IT’S THAT 
TALKING ABOUT SUICIDE HELPS TO 

PREVENT IT.”

— RABBI DANIEL SYME