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Planting a Gratitude Tree

The midrash in Kohelet Rabbah teaches: “When God created the first man he took him and showed him all the trees of the Garden of Eden and said to him, ‘See my works, how beautiful and praiseworthy they are. And everything that I created, I created it for you. Be careful not to spoil or destroy my world–for if you do, there will be nobody after you to repair it.'” Trees, in this text, are the tool used to teach the first human beings to feel gratitude for the world around them.

Articles

You Always Have a Home Here – Parshat Bechukotai

In this sermon, Rabbi Matt Shapiro explores the health benefits of community and the idea of returning home, and how people experiencing mental health concerns need to remember that they can rely on their communities to create a space for them to reside in. And that the members of those communities need to ensure that that is true.

Articles

Children and Mental Health with In the City Camps

The Blue Dove Foundation recently partnered with In the City Camps, to talk about important issues related to raising mentally healthy children, and fostering mental wellness within our children. We hope you find them as helpful and impactful as we do.

Downloads, Jewish Support, Mental Health Support

Antisemitism’s Impact on Mental Health

Antisemitism and discrimination take a toll on both our mental and physical health. Our mental and physical health are deeply intertwined, so when one is under stress the other is impacted.

Articles

What Are the Most Common Mental Illnesses in Children?

Written in Partnership with In the City Camps: One in six youths, ages 6-17, experience a mental health disorder each year. Anxiety and depression are prevalent among children. Between 2016 and 2019, an estimated 9.4 percent of children from 3 years old to 17 (approximately 5.8 million) were diagnosed with anxiety and 4.4 percent (approximately 2.7 million) with depression.While we do not yet understand the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, we know it had a significant impact on children’s mental health. From March 2020 to October 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emergency department visits for mental health crises increased 24 percent for children from 5 years old to 11 and 31 percent for those from 12 to 17 compared with the same period in 2019.

Articles

How Parents and Caregivers Can Support Their Kids’ Mental Wellness

Written in Partnership with In the City Camps: Helping your child develop good coping skills will benefit them throughout their life. Building strong coping skills is helpful for all children and especially for those navigating mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety. Here are some tips on fostering a supportive environment at home.

Articles

Five Ways to Foster a Young Person’s Mental Health

Written in Partnership with In the City Camps: Despite increased awareness of mental illness among their caregivers, many children and teens are still struggling with untreated or undertreated mental health issues, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Approximately 14 percent of 10- to 19-year-olds currently are experiencing a mental health condition such as depression and/or anxiety.

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Essays on Forgiveness

A collection of essays about forgiveness by The Mayo Clinic, Rabbi Eli Mallon, and Forgiving, According to Rabbi Twerski.

Audio + Video, Stories of Hope

Ethan’s Story of Struggling with Depression – A Blue Dove B Mitzvah Project

In his Bar Mitzvah speech, Ethan bravely opens up to the community about his own struggles with depression and mental health, and the work we are doing at the Blue Dove Foundation to help get the resources we need to provide even more kids like Ethan the resources they need to thrive.