2024 Golden Heart Award Winner

JANET BERKOWITZ

Janet Berkowitz, CRSP/Creative Arts Facilitator has 35+ years experience in mental health services. She is a NJ Certified Peer Specialist and a Certified WRAP Facilitator and also performs as a mime. Janet has extensive history with suicide awareness workshops based on personal lived experience including the “Wizard of Iz” Productions, suicide prevention and bullying workshop where she is a co-facilitator. Janet works with various mental health advocacy groups on suicide prevention, including the NJ Adult Suicide Prevention Council and NJ Stakeholders 988 Committee. She and her late husband, Phil Garber, started the local Suicide Anonymous meetings in the Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey area which now includes individuals who meet on Zoom internationally.  Janet started the Creative Crisis Care organization that offers the Bridge Builders workshop to schools, mental health organizations, and the police. The workshop supports strengthening partnerships between mental health providers and service recipients by building trust, safety, and collaboration. 

Janet has experience using art therapy techniques, incorporating drama, music, movement and writing at intensive outpatient and wellness centers. She has extensive training and work experience in peer counseling programs, trauma Informed care and anger management.