May is Mental Health Awareness Month

What Seeking Help Really Looks Like

Seeking help for mental health doesn’t always look the way people expect. It’s not just for moments of crisis or major turning points. Often, it starts with something small; a conversation, a question or the sense that something could feel better.

In reality, mental health care is part of everyday well-being, just like physical health. At Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Arizona (JFCS), that belief shapes how care is delivered across every program.

“Mental health care is essential for both children and adults because it supports emotional well-being, healthy development, and the ability to cope with life’s challenges,” says Alex Warren, Director of Eligibility and Enrollment, who has been with JFCS since 2017.

Rethinking What Support Looks Like

For some, seeking help means sitting down with a counselor and talking through a difficult moment. For others, it may look different.

JFCS works with both children and adults across a wide range of services, including serious mental illness programs, primary care support, older adult services and Shelter Without Walls. The goal is simple: make care accessible, flexible and responsive to real life.

That flexibility matters. It allows people to engage in ways that feel manageable, not overwhelming.

The Role of Connection in Healing

Sometimes, support comes in unexpected forms.

At JFCS, therapy dogs are part of that experience. Wrigley, Quinn and the newest addition, Miss Savannah Hope, serve as Pawsitive Healing Specialists. They work alongside staff to support children in behavioral health settings, first at the organization’s MRZ location and now at its East Valley clinic.

“An amazing therapy dog program can be a powerful source of comfort and healing for children in behavioral health settings,” Warren says. “These specially trained dogs provide a calming, nonjudgmental presence that helps kids feel safe, understood and more open to engaging in therapy.”

For many children, that connection becomes a starting point. “For kids who struggle with trust or communication, the bond formed with a therapy dog can serve as a bridge,” Warren explains. “It encourages social interaction and emotional expression.”

Interacting with therapy dogs has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve mood and lower stress levels. Over time, those small moments can build into something bigger.

“These positive experiences can build confidence, enhance coping skills and create a more supportive environment where children feel empowered to work through challenges,” he says.

Breaking Down Barriers

Even with growing awareness, barriers to accessing mental health care still exist. Cost, access, time and stigma can all make it harder to take that first step. 

That is where early, accessible support makes a difference. When care is easier to navigate, people are more likely to reach out before challenges grow more overwhelming.

At JFCS, that belief shapes a more holistic approach to care, from front-end support like scheduling and insurance navigation to a wide range of behavioral health services designed to meet people where they are.

Why Early Support Matters

Mental health care plays a role at every stage of life.

For children, early support helps build strong foundations in learning, behavior and relationships, while reducing the long-term impact of conditions like anxiety or attention-related disorders.

For adults, ongoing care supports stress management, strengthens relationships and helps maintain stability in daily life.

“Prioritizing mental health care at every stage of life leads to healthier individuals, stronger families and more resilient communities,” Warren says.

Moving Forward

Seeking help does not have to be a big or overwhelming step. It can start with a conversation, a question or simply knowing that support is available.

Mental health care is not only for moments of crisis. It is a way to build resilience, strengthen connection and support overall well-being.

To learn more about services or find support, visit jfcsaz.org.