December 22, 2020 - Atlanta Jewish Times

HAMSA Looks Back

Leslie Lubell, HAMSA Program Manager at JF&CS, reflects on how COVID affected the original goals she had for the year and how HAMSA (Helping Atlantans Manage Substance Abuse) evolved to meet new needs brought about by the pandemic.

"In a lot of ways, COVID brought us together; everyone was going through something for the first time – and none of us knew what to expect. There’s a comfort in knowing you’re not alone in your experiences, especially when there is so much fear and uncertainty; we naturally lean into human connections when we seek safety and comfort.

"But connection is hard to find when you are isolated at home. For those who live with addiction and mental illness, connection through relationships, peer support, treatment, counseling, etc. is the source of our strength … but isolation is our kryptonite."