Depression

Taryn Simon
Taryn Simon
Taryn Simon is currently a student at Machon Maayan in Israel. Previously, she worked in her high school to crush stigmas and shame around mental health by sharing her stories about depression, suicidal ideation, and generalized anxiety disorder. Taryn strives to be someone that can support and be there to listen for others because that was what she felt she needed most during her hard times. She desires to create a space where others can be genuine and share their ideas, by running TED-talk events at her high school and hosting speech contests. Following her gap year, Taryn will study neuroscience, psychology, and behavior at McMaster University, with the goal of getting a Ph.D. in psychology.
Taryn Simon
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I stand there, pacing along the length of my bathroom. I can feel the cool tile on my bare feet, and the sweatpants that I have had since middle school drape along my legs. I stop walking and look in the mirror. My face is red and baby hairs that do not fit in my Read More …

Anonymous Female
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One year ago, I was covered with bruises and cuts that never seemed to heal. One year ago, I was living off of one hundred calories maximum per day. One year ago, I was weak, cold, tired, sore, and sad every moment of every day. One year ago, I decided to finally start to turn Read More …

Tzivia Appleman
Tzivia Appleman
Tzivia Appleman graduated from the HANC High School class of 2017. She spent the following year studying in Israel at MMY and is currently in its Shana Bet program. Afterwards, she will be attending NYU. Tzivia is from Plainview, New York and is the former Regional President of New York NCSY. She's a passionate Jew who loves to write and take down the stigma!
Tzivia Appleman
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The following is a piece from the Refuat Hanefesh column “Struggling Together: Mental Health in The Torah”. In this column, Tzivia Appleman draws on her time studying in Israel, as well as her passion for enhancing society’s mental health views, to propose ways we can understand the emotional state and struggles of the characters and leaders of Read More …

Rachel
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Editor’s Note: The following is written by a brave and determined girl describing her experiences trying to make sense of everything after returning home following a suicide attempt. The detail is important and lifelike. She wants to make sure nobody has to feel alone and to send a message about what people need who are Read More …

anonymous
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My Dear Brother,     Words cannot express the pain I feel as you go through these tough times.   I remember the first day you came to school in your bright orange sweatshirt. I was embarrassed. You smiled. As a kindergartener, you shone with confidence and self-esteem I envied.   Throughout our upbringing, you Read More …

Rachel
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Author’s Note: Upon graduation, each senior must write and deliver a speech on a given topic. This year’s was growth. After many years of suffering in silence, I decided to share a piece of my pain- my story. I ended up being a finalist and delivering it to my entire community. When I got up Read More …

anonymous
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The following piece was selected as one of the winners of this year’s Refuat Hanefesh Creative Expression Contest. Age group: College And Up. It has been lightly edited.  When I came back from my first stay at an inpatient hospital, I was scared to leave my house. I was scared of the questions people would Read More …

Adira Schorr, one of the winners of this year’s Refuat Hanefesh Creative Expression Contest, brilliantly opens up her emotions and feelings, allowing us to understand what mental illness feels like and acts like.