When ending stigma is a matter of life or death
RABBIS HAVE spoken out about their own battles with mental illness ahead of this weekend’s Mental Health Awareness Shabbat, a community-wide push to break the stigma and encourage congregants to seek help if they need it.
Jeffrey Newman, the emeritus rabbi of Finchley Reform Synagogue, said he had battled with depression since he was a teenager.
Rabbi Newman said his depression has led to him having several breakdowns, resulting in him being hospitalised twice.
He believes early intervention is important and said young people need access to mental health support early on. “Speaking from my own experience and childhood, I think it is really important. GPs need to have the time and facilities to spot symptoms.
“When I was a teenager, I had terrible indigestion and I was depressed. The doctors didn’t know what was wrong and they put it down to me swallowing air. I never dreamed of telling my parents I was unhappy.”
He said if doctors had more time with patients, they would be able to connect the physical problems to the potential mental health issues.
“You cannot let a child walk around with a shattered sense of self. You have to help them early on. I had a headmaster who was so terrifying he made me want to commit suicide and I believe my depression was connected to me being bipolar. I struggled with being either very enthusiastic or feeling incredibly low.”