Originally published in the May 10, 2021 issue.
Blue Dove Foundation to speak about new book for Mental Health Awareness month
Thursday, May 20, 7:30 pm, via Zoom
Free, pre-registration required at JewishVA.org/BookFest
Robyn Sidersky
Jennifer Greenberg’s husband, Adam, was the first to tell a joke. He appeared happy and lively to his friends.
But at home, he had a secret. He suffered from anxiety and depression. And he took his own life.
“After it happened, everybody was so surprised that he was suffering,” Greenberg says.
“Everybody said ‘I would have helped, I would have done something.’ We live in a place where people are ashamed. I think it’s really important that people talk about their feelings, struggles and seek help.”
Greenberg wrote about her husband in a book published by The Blue Dove Foundation called #QuietingtheSilence. It includes personal stories and essays about mental health and addiction.
Greenberg will be one of the speakers at a community conversation as part of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival. The event is in partnership with Jewish Family Service.
The Jewish community is not immune to struggles with mental health and substance abuse. But people should know that the community is one place to turn for help.
“The Blue Dove Foundation formed because there was a significant opportunity to talk about mental health within Judaism,” Greenberg says. “Jewish people want to look to their faith to feel better.”
“As a community with a focus on tikkun olam, we work to eradicate the shame and stigma surrounding these issues. Once we achieve this goal, we can begin to improve and save lives” part of Blue Dove’s mission says.
Greenberg’s father grew up in Norfolk, so speaking with the Tidewater community is special to her.
The purpose of these type of events is to show that while a lot of people are struggling, resources are available to help.
“People should be reminded that mental health is a disease like any other, and most of all, you shouldn’t be ashamed,” Greenberg says.
“Once people start talking, people start to feel comfortable and people start to talk and that spreads in a positive way, and that makes people feel better,” she says.
Jewish Family Service recognizes that sometimes individuals and families need help navigating life’s challenges. JFS provides individual, couples, group, and family counseling services to people of all ages, regardless of affiliation. Their services are available to the entire Tidewater community. To learn more about JFS’ services or to connect with a counselor, call 757-459-4640 or email Counseling@jfshamptonroads.org.
For more information and to rsvp for this event or learn more about upcoming book festival events, visit jewishva.org/bookfest or contact Jill Grossman, director, arts + ideas at jgrossman@ujft.org or 757-965-6137.