JTeen, a vital resource dedicated to supporting Jewish youth, has been named Helpline of the Year at the 2024 Helpline Awards.

Founded in 2021, JTeen has rapidly gained recognition for its exceptional support to Jewish teenagers aged 11 to 24, offering a confidential, anonymous helpline via phone, text, and WhatsApp.

The helpline provides emotional assistance, addressing a wide range of issues from mental health struggles to personal challenges and relationships.

In response to the news, a spokesperson from JTeen expressed gratitude, writing on social media: “Thanks to @helplinespartnership for recognising us as the National Helpline of the Year! This honour celebrates not only our team's dedication but also the steadfast support of our community.”

The award underscores the tireless efforts of JTeen’s team of volunteers, therapists, safeguarding leads and supervisors, who work to ensure young people have a safe space to seek help and guidance.

Under the leadership of psychotherapist and clinical supervisor Yaakov Barr, JTeen has become a lifeline for Jewish teens across the UK, addressing a growing need for mental health support within this community.

Barr, who has been instrumental in JTeen’s development, has also drawn attention to the issue of sleep deprivation among Jewish teenagers. Concerned by the impact of late-night device usage on sleep habits, Barr has urged parents to enforce healthy boundaries, including the practice of having teens hand in their phones before bed.

In addition to its helpline services, JTeen is also a key advocate for promoting wellbeing and resilience among Jewish teens. The organisation works closely with schools to educate students about mental health, social media balance, and the importance of self-care.

The Helpline of the Year Award recognises the helpline that has “demonstrated commitment to best practices, dedication to service users, well-organised internal teams and processes, and a commitment to continuous improvement,” according to Helplines Partnership.

JTeen:

Textline Number: 07860 058 823

Hours: Sun-Thurs: 6pm – midnight
Sat (in winter): 9pm – midnight

https://jteen.co.uk/ or click here