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Mental Health Awareness Month (“Mental Health Month”) has been observed every May in the United States since 1949, raising awareness and educating millions of people each year about the dangers and experiences of living with mental illness. As of 2019, it was estimated that more than 26 percent of American adults — about one in five — live with a mental illness (National Institute of Mental Health), and many of them often face that reality alone. That is why, every May, the Blue Dove Foundation and hundreds of other organizations join the national movement to shine a spotlight on the issue and, ultimately, #QuietTheSilence.
Judaism and Mental Health are deeply connected. Judaism isn’t just a religion of laws; rather, it is a religion of ideas and experiences, all aimed at cultivating a healthy and sound mind, body, and soul for all of its practitioners. Our goal is to explore them, reveal the deep messages hidden within, and shed some light on how one can utilize them to live a healthier and happier life with this four-week Jewish guide through Mental Health Awareness Month. Each week, we will focus on a Jewish approach to a different aspect of mental wellness and then engage in activities to help make mental health a bigger part of your life.
Guard yourself and guard your soul very carefully,
Anxiety in the heart of a person causes dejection, but a good word will surely turn it into joy.
Mental Health and Shabbat
The Ladder of Emotional Regulation
Mental Health College Toolkit
More Judaism and Mental Health
Crisis Management Resources
Gratitude E-Cards
Publications
The Jewish MHAM Workbook
Make the most of Mental Health Awareness Month with the Blue Dove Foundation’s official MHAM workbook.
Judaism isn’t just a religion of laws; rather, it is a religion of ideas and experiences, all aimed at cultivating a healthy and sound mind, body, and soul for all of its practitioners. Our goal is to explore them, reveal the deep messages hidden within, and shed some light on how one can utilize them to live a healthier and happier life with this four-week Jewish guide through Mental Health Awareness Month. Each week, we will focus on a Jewish approach to mental health and engage in activities to help make mental health a bigger part of your life.
Mi Sheberachs for Mental Health
See how others have connected with one of Judaism’s oldest prayers, and cultivated mental wellness with the Jewish Prayer for Healing.
The Mi Sheberach is a blessing we recite to wish those who are sick a full recovery and Jewish prayer allows us to be creative in adapting and interpreting text in ways that are meaningful. The prayers shared in this book were written during the height of a global pandemic by individuals from around the world, addressing needs and illnesses both physical and mental and bringing comfort to those who are struggling with their mental health.