“Taboo Topic” of Mental Illness

MyLife: Chassidus Applied Episode 50

“It seems to me that the topic of mental health is avoided in the frum world. How do we get beyond the stigma and address the issues, considering the statistics that over 25%of people have mental health issues?”

In our 50th episode to date Rabbi Jacobson will tackle the taboo topic of mental illnesses. What does Chassidus say about them? Does mental illness relate in any way to “holy madness?” How should we deal with it especially in regard to shidduchim? Is there an obligation for shadchanim to share information about someone’s mental health history? Is it safe for an emotionally challenged person to have and raise children?

What does the Rebbe say about nurturing relationships with friends and family? Should we make an effort when our friend isn’t frum? What can be done to strengthen relationships with estranged siblings?

Other questions episode 50 will answer are: With many young children at home, what advice can be given to a mother about enjoying Shabbos when the day is long and she is home alone? I was told to let my wife make decisions about our children’s education, but what if I disagree? Is there an obligation to honor our in-laws? Are there alternatives to yelling at our children; I want to discipline them, but how?

This hour-long dose of insight is meant to inform, inspire and empower us by applying the teachings of Chassidus to help us face practical and emotional challenges and difficulties in our personal lives and relationships. To have your question addressed, please submit it at www.meaningfullife.com/mylifelive.
The topics in this Sunday’s hour-long broadcast will include:

· Chassidus Applied on Shemos: A new journey begins
· Mental illness and shidduchim
· Madness: Does it have a place in Jewish observance?
· Shalom Bayis: Dealing with different approaches to education
· Honoring your in-laws
· How to nurture friendships (follow-up)
· Healing relationships with estranged siblings
· Shabbos calm for a mother with young children
· Discipline: Is there an alternative to yelling?

MyLife: Chassidus Applied addresses questions that many people are afraid to ask and others are afraid to answer. When asked about the sensitive topics he has been addressing, Rabbi Simon Jacobson commented, “I understand that the stakes are high, but the silence and lack of clarity on matters plaguing the community can no longer go unaddressed. The stakes of not providing answers are even higher.”

The on-going series has provoked a significant reaction from the community, with thousands of people viewing each live broadcast and hundreds of questions pouring in. At the root of every question and personal challenge tackled by the series is the overarching question: Does Judaism have the answers to my personal dilemmas?

In inimitable “Jacobson-fashion”, the broadcast answers people’s questions in simple, clear language while being heavily sourced. Each episode is jam-packed with eye-opening advice from the Rebbeim, gleaned from uncovering surprising gems in their letters, sichos and maamorim that address our personal issues with disarming relevance. Simultaneously, Rabbi Jacobson is able to crystallize a concept quickly, succinctly, and poignantly for any level of listener.

All episodes are immediately available for viewing in the MLC’s archive and can be downloaded as MP3’s for listening on the go.

Questions may be submitted anonymously at www.meaningfullife.com/mylifelive.

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