Members of the BeWellATL Teen Roundtable at a recent event.
At JF&CS and around the community, mental health is a priority every single day—not just during Mental Health Month. One of the ways we actively support mental wellness in our community is through BeWellATL, a local initiative that’s part of the national BeWell movement.
Launched in 2022, BeWell was created in response to the growing mental health crisis among Jewish youth. Through engaging programs, hands-on training, and impactful workshops, BeWell is helping lead the charge in teen mental health and breaking down the stigma that so often surrounds it.
JF&CS is proud to be the home of BeWellATL. Since its launch in 2023, BeWellATL has reached over 1,000 individuals across Metro Atlanta—thanks to a collaborative effort from the very beginning. With the vision and support of local organizations, funders, and dedicated community members, the Atlanta community is a national leader in teen mental health advocacy.
Meeting People Where They Are
In a short amount of time, BeWellATL has become the touchstone for teen mental health in the Jewish community. A series of free events—from Suicide Awareness & Prevention workshops, a Laugh & Learn series on resilience from comedian Pamela Schuller, and upcoming education on neurodiversity, to name a few—meet the community where the need is, empowering families in the process. By collaborating with other agencies, BeWellATL provides a library of helpful resources to families in one convenient place.
Coming up, the team will be providing training on mental wellness for summer day camp staff and the JCC’s Teen Leadership Institute. In the fall, Teen Mental Health First Aid will continue to prepare high school students with strategies and plans of action should mental health crises affect them or a peer. The Smart & Affirming Choices Program will educate 11th and 12th graders, and a complementary workshop will empower their parents as well. Suicide Awareness and Prevention programming for parents will continue to be provided, and leaders are in the process of developing a multigenerational program where teens and parents will learn and talk about mental health alongside each other.
BeWellATL leadership is always tuning its antennae to the needs of the community, and as Jessica Sacks, Community Outreach Coordinator, emphasizes, “we not only collaborate with other organizations, but with the families we serve; our program development is fluid and based on the needs that arise in our community.”
Reaching the Entire Community
As BeWellATL continues to build out programming, leadership is placing emphasis on reaching all members of the Jewish community.
“We know that many in the Jewish community aren’t affiliated with a synagogue or enrolled in Jewish Day Schools,” says Anat Granath, Director of Clinical Strategic Initiatives. “That means a large portion of our community may not be connected to a central organization—and we want to make sure we’re here for everyone.”
“It doesn’t matter how you ‘do Jewish,’” adds Jessica, “BeWellATL is here for you.”
“The mental health of our youth is a priority on every single level,” concludes Anat. “We care about our young people; they are our future, and we’re doing something about it.”
Teen mental health is never an easy topic, but it is critical that we address it head-on. That’s what BeWellATL is here to do – provide the resources to you, your teen, and the entire community. To get involved with BeWellATL, visit our website, and to support the mission of JF&CS, click here.