Mental Health in the Jewish Community – Reducing stigma, raising awareness

Rabbi Mark Goldsmith, Rabbinic Partner at Alyth, welcomed guests this week to an inspirational evening with guest speaker and award-winning mental health campaigner, Jonny Benjamin which focussed on overcoming the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Jonny Benjamin, recounted his experience of mental illness and his search to find the man that saved his life nine years ago when he felt suicidal. After his #FindMike campaign reached over 300 million people, he found his man, who, as it turned out, was not called Mike but Neil Laybourn. Neil talked him down from a suicide attempt on Waterloo Bridge, offering a moment of hope that was life changing. Campaigning (often alongside Neil) for better understanding of mental health in schools, synagogues, prisons and businesses, Jonny is also an ambassador for JAMI, (the Jewish Association for Mental Illness) and received an MBE this year for his national campaigning on awareness of suicide and mental illness.

Jonny’s message was clear, “We must push further for parity between physical and mental health in all areas of society, from healthcare to workplaces, and particularly within schools. 75% of all mental illness begins in adolescence and suicide is now the biggest killer of young people under 35 in this country. We have to reduce prejudice, ignorance and fear and start talking about mental health to reduce the stigma that surrounds it.”

Jonny’s film about his experience was followed by a discussion with Tanya Harris, Head of Services at Jami (The Jewish Association for Mental Illness) which offers support and education to those suffering from mental health problems.

Tanya feels strongly that “we need to talk more openly about mental health, to build capacity and change the mental health landscape.” She explained that, “as part of the Jewish community, we enjoy extraordinarily high levels of social capital – the informal structures of support which connect us to our local community and this should enable us to make a real difference. Much progress can be made simply by listening to others and their concerns.”

Lynette Sunderland, Director of Welfare and Life Cycle explained Alyth’s strong tradition on focusing on mental health and supporting those with difficulties. Alyth runs a weekly Senior Club which encourages participation and combats isolation and loneliness that can accompany old age. Alyth also offers Friday Night Shabbat dinners hosting those cared for by JAMI and Jewish Care’s Shalom Centre. They also run Mindfulness and Meditation sessions weekly as well as their Monday Club catering for those living with learning disabilities run for over 40 years by volunteers.

Caring for even the youngest in the community, Alyth Kindergarten incorporates an award-winning programme called Bounce Back. Designed in Australia in 2003, Bounce Back is an evidence-based programme which aims to create positive and sociable classrooms and enable staff to help their pupils develop resilient attitudes and behaviour. Its authors, psychologists Helen McGrath and Toni Noble, argue that the earlier resilience is taught, the more embedded it becomes.

Cindy Summer, Head of Alyth Kindergarten, which was recently judged “outstanding” by Ofsted, said: “We care passionately about our children at Alyth Kindergarten and have placed emphasis on their wellbeing and emotional health by incorporating the Bounce Back programme. So far, it is having very positive results – children are kinder towards each other and its impact is evident”.

Lynette Sunderland summed up Alyth’s approach “We care for every aspect of those in our community. Our “Listening Campaign” last year enabled us to focus on the key mental health issues facing our congregants so that we are now even better able to assist in the most appropriate ways and will continue to do so through a variety of approaches.”