12:30 pm - Lunch and Learn: Mental Health

A CONGREGATIONAL MODEL OF SUPPORT

Please join us for a presentation of the 2021 documentary Beit R’fuah (House of Healing), the mental health support group formed by members of Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos. We will show a 30 minute video toward the beginning of the event, so make sure to be on time! After the video, Rabbi Nico will kick off the discussion by sharing some Jewish texts related to mental illness.

We will learn how congregants responded to a need for mental health-friendly, stigma-free spaces in their Jewish community. Resources from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will be available.

A discussion will follow featuring panelists Dr. Carol Irwin and Sharon Roth. Carol is a member of Beth Am. She co-founded Beit R’fuah in 2006. She is the Executive Producer of Beit R’fuah (House of Healing) and continues to co-facilitate the group. Her extensive background in health and education includes her leadership on the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Commission, the California Traumatic Brain Injury State Board, and as past Vice President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) local affiliate SCC. Dr. Irwin holds a Doctorate of Chiropractic.

Sharon Roth is a member of Shir Hadash. She has worked in leadership and educational roles, advocating for adequate and appropriate mental health services locally and throughout the state. She was instrumental in the development of Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), a partnership of law enforcement, county health services, mental health advocates, and mental health consumers. She held local and state board positions with NAMI. Sharon is a Registered Nurse/Public Health Nurse who has taught at universities and health care systems.

Register here for this event!