S’more Wellness: Mental Health & Gender
MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, & SPIRITUAL HEALTH AT CAMP DAY OF LEARNING APRIL 25TH, 2022
Everyone has mental health, and it is everyone’s responsibility to care for one another at Jewish Camp. Last summer, camps reported an increased need to support the wellbeing of campers and staff – and not always knowing how. Join us for a day of learning dedicated to supporting and nurturing mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health (MESSH) and the intersection of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Audience: Camp mental health professionals, leadership, and board members from day and overnight camps are welcome!
The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth. To read more about mental health and the LGBTQ+ community, check out this study by The Trevor Project.
This day of learning is powered by the Yedid Nefesh initiative, generously made possible by The Marcus Foundation, with additional support from UJA-Federation of New York.
SESSION SCHEDULE
The Simcha of Coming Out: Supporting Campers and Staff (11AM – 12:15PM Et)
Keshet: Tracey Labgold & Jackie Maris
Starting with a quick overview of LGBTQ+ Terms and Concepts with Keshet, we will then use Jewish values as a lens to explore affirming responses and reactions when a camper or counselor comes out to you at camp. This workshop will address ways to support both the individual coming out and their family – including considerations for both day and overnight camps. Keshet seeks the full equality of LGBTQ+ Jews in Jewish life and values the importance of creating psychologically safe spaces at camps to support camper and staff wellbeing.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESENCE: SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH SUPPORTING IDENTITY (12:30 – 1:30PM ET)
Kohenet Dr. Hariette Wimms
Expand your understanding of how supporting identity formation impacts individual mental health and communal well being. Learn theory taken from social psychology and how you can leverage these ideas and turn them into action at camp.
CAMP PRO PANEL: Mental Health & Supporting LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY (1:45 – 2:45PM Et)
Camp Havaya, Camp Ramah New England, Camp Ga’avah of Friedberg JCC, and Moving Traditions
Come hear from peers across the field! This panel will discuss ways to support people during camp, throughout the year – from connecting with family systems to communication and registration, and more.
TRANS* EQUITY Scenario ROUND TABLE (3 – 4:15PM Et)
Transplaining: Chris* Rehs-Dupin
In this hands-on session participants will be presented with different scenarios that center the experiences of trans* campers and staff. You’ll have 2 minutes to think through a “quick reaction” and then hear from Co-Founder of Transplaining, Chris Rehs-Dupin, about how he would possibly approach the situation. Alongside camp colleagues, you’ll compare and reflect on responses with time questions and clarifications. The goal of this session is to help sharpen the problem-solving lens to support campers of all genders equitably with their peers.
THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT: ONE STORY (4:30 – 5:30PM Et)
Thank You for Coming Out: Dubbs Weinblatt interviewing a special guest
Join Dubbs Weinblatt (they/them) as they host a live episode recording of their podcast Thank You For Coming Out. During each episode, a guest shares a coming out or coming-into-self story which kicks off an intimate conversation about identity, family, community, and of course during this conversation, camp!