Denise, Executive Director

About Denise, Executive Director

am the Executive Director of The JEM Foundation. The JEM Foundation was founded in honor of Jacob Machovsky wo was lost to suicide. Our mission is to prevent suicide, support positive changes to mental health care, provide individual and family support for those struggling with mental illness, and remove the stigma associated with it.

Sweet Poison: Exploring the Dangerous Impact of Sugar on Mental Health

Sugar has become ubiquitous in our diets, lurking in everything from sugary drinks to processed snacks. While it's widely known that excessive sugar consumption can lead to physical health problems like obesity and diabetes, its impact on mental health is often overlooked. In this blog post, we'll explore the dangerous impact of sugar on [...]

By |2024-03-13T12:05:12-07:00February 26th, 2024|

How Hurtful Language Impacts Mental Health

Last Sunday, our pastor spoke on the effect of the tongue and how hurtful words ruin lives and make enemies. It got me thinking about the power of words concerning mental health. We often underestimate the profound impact that words can have on mental well-being. Whether spoken casually in passing or deliberately aimed with [...]

By |2024-02-19T12:41:40-07:00February 19th, 2024|

Adorable Calf! The Blessings of a New Addition.

https://youtu.be/p1ni44hiv4A We were blessed with an adorable new calf that we can use as part of Jacob's Ranch. Animal therapy will help children struggling with mental health issues but a huge part of our program will be about diet and how eating high-quality food can promote good mental health.  To see Aine (our mini [...]

By |2024-02-16T07:03:59-07:00February 16th, 2024|

Bad Habits That Sabotage Mental Health

Our habits play a significant role in pursuing a fulfilling and balanced life. However, not all habits are beneficial—some can take a toll on our mental health, affecting our well-being in profound ways. This blog post will explore some common bad habits that sabotage mental health and how to avoid them. Poor Sleep Habits: [...]

By |2024-02-15T11:00:18-07:00February 15th, 2024|

How to Talk to Your Kids About Depression and Anxiety

Discussing depression and anxiety with your children can be one of the most challenging conversations a parent faces. Explaining complex and often stigmatized mental health conditions in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner requires careful consideration. Let's discuss a few strategies that can help you discuss depression and anxiety with your kids.  Before initiating the [...]

By |2024-02-14T08:12:55-07:00February 14th, 2024|

The Impact of Stigma on Male Mental Health

I was working out this morning and heard a song by Chris McDaniel titled Somebody Like Me. It inspired me to write a blog post about how the stigma of mental health affects males. Boys and men are far more likely to die by suicide. According to the AFSP, men died by suicide 3.90x [...]

By |2024-02-08T13:46:00-07:00February 8th, 2024|

The Transformative Power of Spirituality in Mental Health

In years past, spirituality was seen as a negative. Jean Charcot and Sigmund Freud linked religion with mental instability. The DSM3 inferred that religious and spiritual experiences were examples of mental illness and a troubled mind. However, we now know that spirituality can play a significant role in promoting mental health by providing individuals [...]

By |2024-03-18T11:42:06-07:00February 5th, 2024|

Healing Hooves: How Horse Therapy Can Help With Mental Health

When a loved one is struggling with mental health challenges, it can be difficult to know how to help or which therapies are effective. Finding different techniques can be a  crucial step. Equine-assisted therapy, commonly known as horse therapy, is gaining recognition for its impact, and many studies show it is effective in helping [...]

By |2024-02-05T08:52:47-07:00January 31st, 2024|
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