We have heard from the Twice Blessed 2.0: Community Needs Assessment that JQTs experience a myriad of barriers to receiving mental health support linked to lack of provider knowledge, training and competency around working with both queer and Jewish folks. As such, JQT Vancouver has hired two counsellors (Anat Kelerstein and Hannah Zalmanowitz) to create an educational tool aimed at reducing the burden on JQTs of having to educate their therapists/providers on their lived experiences and mental health needs, especially during therapy sessions. While one pamphlet alone cannot encompass all JQT experiences, perspectives and needs, we hope that this educational tool can serve as an initial launching point to guide therapists who may be new to working with the JQT community. It could also serve as a natural screening tool for therapists to self-evaluate their own ability to provide care to this community. 

Description of Pamphlet:

This educational tool will cover key themes, considerations, and misconceptions that are critical to understanding JQT life experiences and providing culturally safe mental health care for this community. 

Request for Your Input:

In order to ensure that this education tool reflects your needs and is useful for the JQT community, we are asking for input by April 30, 2024. In particular, we are interested in common misunderstandings or “pitfalls” (things that you wish you did not have to explain to others), as well as any examples of things that work.

What will happen with these responses?

These responses will be read by Anat and Hannah and used to shape and inform the creation of the pamphlet. Before it is published, we will provide JQTs with an opportunity to review the document and provide final feedback in May 2024. Once it is published, it will be distributed to mental health professionals, therapists and the public. Any member of the public will be able to download it from the JQT website and share it as they see fit. 

Who We Are:

Both Hannah and Anat are registered social workers and clinical counsellors with extensive experience in health care. We have been hired as contractors by JQT Vancouver in order to help respond to the mental health needs of the community. 

Anat Kelerstein (she/her) is a registered social worker and clinical counsellor in Vancouver, on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Anat has worked in a variety of mental health and substance use settings supporting people who struggle with mental illness, substance use, trauma, and various forms of oppression. She is passionate about providing anti-oppressive and trauma-informed care. As a Jewish woman, Anat has felt compelled to use her skills as a therapist to provide support to support the Jewish community. She is looking forward to continuing that work through JQT and helping to build compassionate spaces for Jewish Queer and Trans people to feel heard, find connection and support. You can find more information about Anat on her website: www.anatkelerstein.com

Hannah Zalmanowitz (she/her) is a Registered Social Worker and Registered Clinical Counsellor in the Comox Valley on the unceded lands of the K’ómox First Nation. Hannah's professional work has been focused in the areas of mental health of diverse populations, including unhoused people, youth, and queer and trans folx. Hannah is a proud Jewish person with strong ties to her Jewish identity, cultural practices, community and the land of Israel. In the wake of the October 7th attacks and rising antisemitism in the west, she has used her background as a therapist to make sense of the trauma and distress experienced by Jewish people and communities both in Israel and the diaspora. She hopes to use her skills and education to support and advocate for better care for Jewish and Queer folks in these difficult times. You can contact Hannah at hannahzalmanowitz@gmail.com

Security and Privacy of Information:

The information submitted in this survey (including responses to question(s) and email addresses) will be kept in accordance with the standards of practice of the BC College of Social Workers. It will be stored on a secure Google drive for the duration of the project. Any identifying information will be removed from responses. At the completion of the project it will be deleted from the Google drive and securely stored as a hard copy in compliance with BC College of Social Workers standards of practice.