Safe, Community-based Spaces for Teen Mental Health

Bringing Global Learning Home: Teen Mental Health Centers

In 2018, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF) embarked on a study tour to Australia, JHF President and CEO Karen Wolk Feinstein, PhD, alongside Board Chair Debra Caplan, MPA and COO and Chief Program Officer Nancy Zionts, MBA were deeply moved by Australia's investment in 154 headspace centres.

Headspace is a unique Australian model for youth mental health services designed to provide early intervention and support for young people aged 12 to 25 by covering a range of mental health concerns. Headspace centres offer a variety of services, including counseling, health care, education, and employment support, all in a youth-friendly environment. The model emphasizes accessibility, confidentiality, and youth engagement, aiming to make mental health services more approachable and effective for young Australians.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic heightened the urgency for accessible mental health support, particularly for teenagers navigating the challenges of isolation and uncertainty. In response, JHF partnered with Jewish Family and Community Services to launch UpStreet, a pioneering teen mental health service offering counseling, peer mentoring, and online brief interventions support. Concurrently, JHF provided crucial funding to Friendship Circle for the establishment of The Beacon, a welcoming community space in Squirrel Hill. Situated at 1926 Murray Avenue, The Beacon offers a diverse array of programs centered around mindfulness, self-expression, and mental wellness, fostering an environment of acceptance and support.

In 2023, UpStreet established a physical presence as well to ensure teens access to in-person assistance in a youth-focused setting.

With two teen mental health spaces in operation, JHF envisions a future where services like UpStreet and the Beacon proliferate throughout Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and the country, decentralizing mental health support and making it readily available within communities.

These initiatives exemplify JHF's unwavering commitment to youth well-being. Through the establishment of these community-based programs and services, JHF continues its mission to enhance healthcare accessibility and cultivate resilience within the community, empowering teenagers to overcome mental health challenges and thrive.