Mental Health

Eliyahu Spivack grew up in Passaic, NJ and is a graduate of Yeshiva University's Yeshiva College. He has been involved in mental health advocacy and writes about his personal experiences in order to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and illness.
Latest posts by Eliyahu Spivack (see all)

The last few weeks have been bizarre and worrisome for all of us. As COVID-19 cases increase, shuls have been closed in many communities, most social events have been canceled, and we are being told to isolate in our homes for the time being. Suddenly, we’re waking up to days spent alone without the ability Read More …

Latest posts by anonymous (see all)

It deeply hurts. Time and time after time again, politicians, newscasters and everyday people associate violence with mental illness. This is both degrading and harmful. It perpetuates the stigmatic myth that those with mental illnesses are to be feared. For those like me, who have moved to manage mental illness to the point where it Read More …

Suzann is an occupational therapist who works on the behavioral health units at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Hospital of Baltimore, MD. She has a clinical specialty in psychiatric occupational therapy and has worked as an occupational therapist for twenty years, with clinical experience in acute psychiatric units, inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient partial hospitalization programs, and inpatient rehabilitation. At Levindale, she works primarily with patients with mental illness, running daily psychosocial groups (including coping skills, stress management, assertiveness skills, safety/fall prevention, anger management, depression management, anxiety management, and how to speak about mental illness).
Suzann Lasson, OTR/L
Latest posts by Suzann Lasson, OTR/L (see all)

I started working in an acute psychiatric unit fifteen years ago as an occupational therapist (OT), during which time the experiences I have had with those in the Jewish community and their petrified need for secrecy have been alarming. More on that crisis in a little bit. First, for context, occupational therapy became prevalent in Read More …

Eliyahu Spivack grew up in Passaic, NJ and is a graduate of Yeshiva University's Yeshiva College. He has been involved in mental health advocacy and writes about his personal experiences in order to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and illness.
Latest posts by Eliyahu Spivack (see all)

Many living with social anxiety disorder can list several opportunities they let slip away because of their anxiety. Maybe they passed up on a great job opportunity because they were worried about having a panic attack during the interview. Maybe they never go to social events because they’re worried about getting embarrassed and laughed at. Read More …

Ruthie Schreiber is a recent Honors program graduate from Stern College for Women. She is currently in CUNY York College to obtain a Master's of Physician Assistant Studies.
Ruthie Schreiber
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NBC’s highly rated show This is Us has captured the hearts of viewers across the country as it chronicles the lives of three siblings searching for love and fulfillment. The comedy-drama follows the three Pearson siblings across numerous decades, navigating relatable storylines of friendship, family, tragedy, and hope. The show is particularly notable for its Read More …

Latest posts by anonymous (see all)

Editor’s Note: There is more to the stigma of psychiatric medication than one may think: There are the stigmas of going to therapy, of being diagnosed with a mental disorder, and of being prescribed medication for said disorder. However, there is also the stigma geared towards physically taking psychiatric medication, and that is much more Read More …

Talya graduated high school this past year and is headed off to Israel for a gap year. She is open with her struggles with mental health with the hope of encouraging others to speak up and get the help they deserve.
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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: High School. It has been lightly edited.    Prompt: A substantial percentage of childhood is spent in the classroom. What can our educational institutions do to improve our mental health and well being?     The world Read More …

Milaine Grossbard loves finding creative ways to express to others what it’s like to raise two special needs children. She dislikes cooking but her hobbies are breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She uses humor to make people laugh.
Milaine Grossbard
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The following poem 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.      My Son   My Son you came in this world giving us so much joy   Your future flashed before my eyes, my sweet little baby Read More …

Latest posts by 123456 (see all)

It is understood today that people with autism are a common part of life. What isn’t understood is how they deal with mental health and how others can help them. This is particularly important because those on the spectrum are more likely to become depressed. Being someone who is on the autism spectrum, and also works Read More …