Mental Health Awareness Shabbat falls annually on Shabbat “Bo”, which this year is on 22nd-23rd January. During this week we put extra focus on mental health and wellbeing and to raise awareness of mental illness - something that is even more important this year!
Mental Health issues is something that affects everyone. As JAMI puts it; Mental health refers to our cognitive, behavioural and emotional wellbeing - it is all about how we think, feel, and behave. It helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Mental health also includes a person’s ability to enjoy life - to attain a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience.
JAMI - the Jewish Mental Health Service - has provided practical and emotional support for the mental health of the Jewish community for over 30 years and created Mental Health Awareness Shabbat a few years ago. Jami’s vision is a Jewish community which accepts, acknowledges and understands mental illness. A community which is resilient and has the capacity and capability to be healthy. A community in which symptoms of mental illness are as recognisable as a heart attack and trigger an equally appropriate First Aid response. A community in which Parity of Esteem is a reality and an environment which helps, not hinders recovery.
Below you will find information on what Westminster Synagogue is doing to mark this Shabbat and some other resources that may help you learn more about this subject, along with some tips on how to take care of yourself.
MHAS 5781 with Westminster Synagogue
Friday 22nd January, 5:00-6:00pm: Join Shelly for a Mindfulness Session, a chance to focus on yourself and recharge. For more information, click here.
Friday 22nd January, 6:30-7:15pm: Join Rabbi Benji for a special Shabbat Evening Service to mark Mental Health Awareness.
Saturday 23rd January, 10:30-11:30am: Join Rabbi Thomas as we mark MHA during our Shabbat Morning Service and welcome children's author Esther Marshall to speak on her new book and life's journey. For more information, click here.
Saturday 23rd January, 6:00-6:30pm: Close our Shabbat with our Or Shabbat Havdallah Session which will be linked to MHA Shabbat.
Where to get help
If you or someone you know needs mental health help there are a variety of options depending on the issue of concern.
- Jami Qwell – Text-based counselling and online peer support 24/7, with counsellors available Monday - Friday 12pm - 10pm and Saturday - Sunday 6pm - 10pm, 365 days a year. Join immediately and anonymously through any smartphone, tablet or computer: qwell.io/jami
- Jami Kooth – Free counselling and emotional support for students: student.kooth.com/jami
- SHOUT – 24/7 crisis text service – Text Jami to 85258
- Jami is there to help with mental health support: jamiuk.org/get-support/referral, call 020 8458 2223 or email info@jamiuk.org
- Ring your GP or out of hours service for an emergency appointment
- Call Samaritans on Freephone 116 123 (24 hours a day)
- For young people under 35, or if you are worried about a young person, call Papyrus – a charity which runs the HopelineUK – on 0800 068 41 41, text 07786209697 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
- Call 999 or NHS Direct on 111 (England) or 0845 46 47 (Wales)
- Jewish Helpline on 0800 652 9249 (Sunday – Thursday 12:00 – 00:00; Friday 12:00 – 15:00) Don’t hesitate to call 999 in mental health emergencies
- CALM - The Campaign Against Living Miserably, is leading a movement against suicide and challening times. They takes calls and webchats, from 5pm to midnight every day. Call 0800 58 58 58 or visit www.thecalmzone.net
Please also remember that we, as a community, are here for all our members and if there is anything we can do to help, please let us know. This could be a conversation with one of our Rabbis or connecting with our wonderful Chesed Team members who are here to help whether you need help picking up shopping or some company at the end of the phone. Even though we cannot offer any professional mental health guidance, the chance to speak to someone and knowing you are not alone, can help a lot in these times.
Resources
- Key information about Mental Health
- JAMI's tips for looking after your Mental Health during COVID-19
- MIND's advice for coping with Mental Health Problems during COVID-19 - this page has information on how to cope with specific issues as well as broader advice on taking care of your overall Mental Health.
- NHS's Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing
- 6 Strategies for Teenagers to Cope during COVID 19
- Helping Children Cope
- Relaxation Tips
- Mindfulness
- Breathing Exercises for Relieving Stress
- How to be Physically Active while Social Distancing
- MoodPanda - Track your mood and get anonymous support
- 10 Days of Happiness - Free online coaching programme for challenging times
- Self-Care Checklist
- Self-Care Bingo
JAMI's event for MHAS
JAMI are holiding events durng Mental Health Awareness Shabbat and the week after.
- Saturday 23rd January 8-9.30pm - Mental Health Awareness through a Covid-19 Lens – Looking after ourselves, our families and our communities (Interactive Head Room Education session)
- Sunday 24th January 8-9.15pm - MHAS Community Conversations (Interactive Head Room Education session)
- Monday 25th January 7-8pm - Getting through lockdown: taking care of myself and my friends (interactive Head Room Education session) for ages 14-16
- Tuesday 26th January 8-8.30pm - Supporting our children during these difficult times – Samantha Simmonds in conversation with Dr Ellie Cannon
- Thursday 28th January 8-8.30pm - Monty, Mental Health and Mazal – Zaki Cooper in conversation with cricket legend Monty Panesar
- Thursday 28th January 8.30-8.45pm - Cake is my Super Power with Ilana Epstein of Ta’am – Judaism on a Plate
To find out more information and register email Laura.Bahar@jamiuk.org
