Being away from home, having a heavy workload, and the threat of student debt make students more prone to depression and anxiety. The uncertainty of COVID-19 and returning to school also helps explain why 95% of college students have stated that their mental health has suffered, according to an April BestColleges survey.
“Every college student that I know is completely stressed out at any given point,” said Julia Rosenthal, a junior at the University of Kansas. “I believe that the college culture is inherently challenging because of late nights, stressful workloads, social pressure, and poor dietary options. But knowing that Chabad is always here for me anytime helps me and my peers succeed and thrive even when the going gets tough.”
Chabad’s Student Safety Net Initiative, in partnership with Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City and Menorah Heritage Foundation, offers mental health education and workshops, counseling, spiritual support and community outreach.
To this they now add Joel’s Helpline. Manned 24 hours a day, six days a week (the helpline isn’t manned on Shabbat), students can text “help me” to 785-264–4477 at any time to receive support and solutions for certain needs. Texting “hungry” will result in a response asking if they would like to use Chabad’s food pantry or receive a homemade dinner. Students who would like counseling to help them can send “sad” or “scared” to the helpline. Text “sick” and a Chabad staff member will bring hot chicken soup over and provide support and, if needed, a ride for medical care.
The student helpline is dedicated to the memory of Joel Winograd, a member of the Jewish community, and is sponsored by his family. Winograd was a defense attorney who used his skills to help people from all walks of life.
KU Chabad continues to support their student body. “We are not just an institution,” says Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, KU Chabad director. “We are a second home for our students, and it is our privilege to be there for them in these challenging times. Creating this unique helpline, which operates via text, makes it even more accessible for a student to get help when they may not feel confident enough to place the call.”
To earn more about Chabad’s safety net support services contact KU Chabad via the helpline, at 785.832.8672 or .
