We are living in strange times. A global pandemic that has impacted us all. A unique time during which every human being has just been through and/or is currently facing a crisis/trauma. For the first time, it seems, it is okay to talk about mental health (the irony of this occurring during Mental Health Awareness month is not lost on me). The stigma is just gone. We are all on some level dealing with the unknown, fear, financial strain, health concerns, anxiety, restless sleep, and friends and loved ones who are not themselves lately. When I used to tell people that Amudim has cases in their neighborhood, I often encountered denial: “not here, not possible.” Today, it is an indisputable fact to anyone following the latest headlines and studies. Mental health issues are current and present in every community. Luckily, Amudim is trained and prepared to provide the essential support needed more than ever at this time. This week alone we have seen 74 new cases, ranging from domestic violence and addiction to depression. We have had a recent influx of calls regarding suicide ideation and loneliness.
Amudim is always working to raise awareness and destigmatize mental health needs. Our recently launched Israel anonymous support line has met with great success, and our organization was featured in The Jerusalem Post. See here for link to the full article. We also released a third technique video in our Animated Features education series. And there have been some incredibly meaningful podcasts and interviews in which I spoke on behalf of Amudim; each one sheds light on the different nuances of the situation in which we all find ourselves.
