In response to skyrocketing mental health needs among young people in our community since the start of the pandemic, Dr. Eli Lebowitz—a childhood and adolescent anxiety expert and renowned Yale School of Medicine Professor and Researcher—was chosen as this year’s guest of honour for the Betty and Bernard S. Shapiro Family Lecture Series. Dr. Lebowitz delivered a riveting presentation via Zoom to over 700 attendees on Monday, November 1, called “You Hold the Key: A Parent-Centered Approach to Managing Your Child’s Anxiety”. He also led an exclusive, in-person Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) training for clinicians at Ometz and the Jewish General Hospital on November 1 and 2.

 For over 20 years, Ometz, a long-standing committed community leader in the field of services to families and children, has partnered with the visionary and generous Betty and Bernard S. Shapiro Family Endowment with the goal of enhancing community education and the parenting of school-aged children and youth by bringing to Montreal internationally-renowned experts on top-trending topics of interest.

 The timely lecture and training were also made possible thanks to our partners at the English Parents’ Committee Association (EPCA), and the support of Shaare Zion Beth-El Congregation and Federation CJA.

 To set up a free parent consultation and appointments for more specialized services, including Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) training, please contact  e  http://entourfamille.ca

 To join a parenting group (online or face-to-face)—giving you the opportunity to talk about and share your parenting successes and challenges with a professional facilitator and your peers—please contact Ometz’s Dr. Amy Shapiro.  at [email protected]

By Mike Cohen