Social Anxiety: A Hidden Disorder Presentation

Jeff Kukes, Patty Kukes and Dr. Joseph Himle to speak at the Association of Jewish Family & Children’s Agencies’ Annual Conference

Thanks to the generous support of Mr. and Mrs. James Grosfeld, AKFSA had a major presence at the recent Association of Jewish Family & Children’s Agencies’ (AJFCA) Annual Conference
 held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. The theme of the conference this year was “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?”

The Andrew Kukes Foundation for Social Anxiety and Dr. Joseph Himle PhD presented, “Social Anxiety: A Hidden Disorder.” The presentation began with Patty Kukes and Jeff Kukes each sharing their son Andy’s emotional story, which can be viewed here. Then Dr. Himle offered a comprehensive look into the debilitating disorder in the video below. If you would like to read more, a definition can be found in this article on social anxiety.

We encourage you to ask the speaker questions via Facebook here or email your questions here.

About the Speakers

Jeff Kukes and Patty Kukes started the foundation following the tragic suicide of their son. Andrew a high school valedictorian and Summa Cum Laude graduate from Columbia suffered for more than 10 years with social anxiety disorder before taking his life. The foundation was established to bring about professional education, community awareness and develop resources for individuals and families seeking treatment.

Dr. Joseph Himle PhD, Associate Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work and Department of Psychiatry; Director, Vivian A and James L Curtis Research Center at the School of Social Work; Associate Director, Anxiety Disorders Program, University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Himle has been treating social anxiety for nearly 30 years and is an active NIH-funded researcher in the area of anxiety disorders and cognitive behavioral therapy.

About AJFCA

AJFCA is the membership association for approximately 125 Jewish family service agencies across the United States and Canada. Ranging in size from small departments of local Jewish federations to some of the largest human services agencies in North America, our members provide vital services to clients of all ages, faiths and economic backgrounds. They counsel families, feed the hungry, assist the elderly and protect the vulnerable. We are united by the values of our Jewish tradition and work together toward our common goal of tikkun olam, repairing the world.