2012-2013 NFTY Action Theme
“R'Fuat Hanefesh - Caring for the Soul: NFTY Addresses Mental Health”

Background:
Throughout the past few years, NFTY has taken numerous stands through Living NFTY Initiatives such as: GLBTQ Teen Inclusion, Grief and Mourning, Eating Disorders, and Bullying, Teasing, and Harassment to combat the growing increase of mental health issues within our society. As NFTYites, it is our responsibility to take these efforts even further by assessing the present issue of mental health, supporting and including those struggling with mental health challenges in our communities, forming partnerships with organizations that advocate on behalf of individuals suffering from mental or social challenges, developing pluralistic understanding of these topics, and spreading awareness of these issues.

WHEREAS Judaism teaches us that every person is created B’tzelem Elohim- in the image of G-d;

WHEREAS Rabbi Akivah said that “Love your neighbour as thyself” is the most important teaching in the Torah;

WHEREAS NFTY is founded on the principle of SELF – TIKKUN MIDDOT - מידות תיקון - The understanding that we are to be a light unto the nations by fostering an environment where every individual can meet and exceed their potential as Jews and citizens of the world regardless of the way they are born;

WHEREAS NFTY is founded on the principle of REPAIRING THE WORLD - TIKKUN OLAM –
עולם תיקון - The obligation to repair the world; With the understanding that the world is not perfect and being created in the image of G-d it is our duty to finish G-d’s work;

WHEREAS NFTY is founded on the principle of PARTNERSHIP – SHUTAFUT - שותפות - To work with and help others feel a part of the community;

WHEREAS NFTY serves and strives to serve as a safe space, an accepting outlet for all participants to embrace their differences and to explore their individuality and find their identity;

WHEREAS NFTYs recent campaign “The Living NFTY Initiatives”, includes topics such as: eating disorders and bullying, teasing, and harassment, which fall under the proposed Action Theme for 2012-2013: “R'Fuat Hanefesh- Caring for the Soul: NFTY Addresses Mental Health”;

WHEREAS in 2006 Rabbi Richard Address, Director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s Department of Jewish Family Concerns, began a campaign to welcome Jews with disabilities into congregational life and as part of the Union of Reform Judaism, it is our responsibility to spread this campaign within NFTY;

WHEREAS according to a recent study by the CRC Health Group, one in eight adolescents struggle with depression;
WHEREAS according to a recent study by the CRC Health Group, suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24;

WHEREAS according to an annual study of the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, up to 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders) in the U.S. as of 2011;

WHEREAS according to SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), the most common mental health challenges among young people include: feeling depressed (50%), problems at home/family (28.8%), breaking rules or “acting out” (25.1%), and suicidal thoughts or attempts (20.2%);
WHEREAS today’s youth is surrounded by media that creates negative self-image, damaging the mental health of our generation;

WHEREAS there are a multitude of programmable topics within this theme that are relevant to the teenage lives of participants;

WHEREAS everyone struggles with certain challenges, yet how they are manifested varies;

THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT the NFTYs Action Theme for 2012-2013 be “R'Fuat Hanefesh- Caring for the Soul: NFTY Addresses Mental Health”; and;

LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED THAT NFTY creates programming that addresses topics that include but are not limited to: stress, self-image, body image, substance abuse, sexuality, suicide prevention, grief and mourning, eating disorders, peer pressure, healthy relationships, depression, and other topics pertaining to mental health; and;

LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED THAT NFTY takes a stand to advocate for people suffering from mental health disorders or conditions and create a friendly environment for people with physical disabilities and people with mental disabilities; and;

LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED THAT NFTY continues to be a place that welcomes and is accommodating to anyone with any mental health issues; and;

LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED THAT NFTY addresses the various misconceptions and misunderstandings about mental health conditions that exist in the broader public; and;

LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED THAT NFTY Regional SAVPs choose to program on at least one “R'Fuat Hanefesh” topic that resonates best with his or her region during their term.