Shabbat binge-drinkers are Charedi problem

BINGE-DRINKING ON Shabbat and children’s fitness are two of the main concerns raised by a health survey of more than 500 Salford Charedim.

The NHS-funded study of 300 adults and 207 children also revealed a majority view that mental illness carries a stigma within the strictly Orthodox population.

Based on the survey results, one- in-eight adults “might be classed as ‘binge-drinkers’ on the Sabbath”, with respondents admitting to drinking “several shots”.

Local Jewish Care Forum chair Jonny Wineberg, who ran the survey with psychologist Dr Sandi Mann, said the numbers tallied with anecdotal evidence from the 7,500-strong Salford community. “Anyone binge-drinking is worrying, in terms of their own health. It’s not a clever thing to do,” he said.

More than three-quarters of respondents thought there was a stigma surrounding mental health, with nearly half of those surveyed classifying the stigma as “big”.

The study also suggested that more than one in four would not access mental health services for fear of having religious issues misunderstood.

“The prevalence of depression [cases] in surgeries which the majority of Jews attend is under two per cent, whereas across Manchester it’s 8.1 per cent,” Mr Wineberg pointed out. “This is an area of huge concern.”

In feedback, one of those surveyed wrote that instead of consulting trained professionals, “people are using their own social network — friends, rabbonim”.

Around 10 per cent of children said they did no exercise, while a third exercised for less than 30 minutes a week.

More than one in 10 parents thought exercise was “not important” and just 40 per cent considered it very important.

“People need to realise that exercise is crucial,” Mr Wineberg added. “A third of children doing less than 30 minutes of exercise a week is so concerning.”

The survey authors have issued 23 recommendations resulting from the findings.