Shabbat is an opportunity to remove ourselves from the constant motion of our daily lives—to pause, breathe and reflect on that which is most important to us. Pauses like these go a long way in helping us to connect with our friends, families, selves, and G-d. But Shabbat can also be a powerful tool in cultivating mental wellness.

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According to the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) one in 5 adults in the United States experiences a mental health condition in a given year.

Make mental health the center of your Shabbat conversation any Friday night, and create a community of caring and inclusivity.  A personal connection can save someone’s life. Your outreach, dinner, and kindness may impact someone more than you may ever know it does.

Host or attend a Shabbat Dinner on any Friday night. This dinner is not a therapy session or training.  Your goal for the evening is to show that Mental Health education and support is a priority in the Jewish community and that it is OK to talk about mental health.  It is time to eliminate the shame and stigma that is often associated with the topic.  It’s time to #QuietTheSilence.