10 years Of Jami (And Jewish Care) Mental Health Shabbat by Eleanor

January 21, 2026 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: Jami)

10 years ago, Rabbi Daniel Epstein and the team at Jami charity had an idea about making the stigmatised topic of mental health in the UK Jewish community be more visible amongst synagogues and organisations. They did this by focusing on the day of rest- Shabbat, with Rabbis and speakers of lived experience or mental health professionals. I was lucky to come on board as a volunteer in the first few years, alongside a wonderful team. My role was to help contact Jewish shuls and organisations by email and in the first year I believe we got the Shabbat in to over 80 organisations and over 100 in subsequent years.

My reason for doing this was because I struggled with bipolar disorder (depression, mania and psychosis) and anxiety/PTSD from when I was 15. I felt that no one really talked about it publicly on a communal level and I was inspired by my friend Jonny Benjamin MBE, who was open about having schizoaffective disorder and taking a sledge hammer to stigma. I also admired the work of Jami in the hubs and with their Head Room Cafe and I wanted to make a difference.

I can’t quite believe that the Jami Mental Health Shabbat is 10 years old this year. The Shabbat enabled me to speak about lived experience with my Dad (who also has bipolar) to two large communities (my childhood one- Bushey and husbands- Chigwell) and my Dad spoke at Belsize Square and Edgware Yeshurun about our joint story. I was diagnosed with bipolar at 16 and my Dad was at 44. We were honoured to help dispell stigma through telling our stories from the pulpit, however difficult they were.

The Shabbat has also enabled thousands of people to have conversations and mental illness is no longer hidden in the shadows to be feared. The theme for the tenth Jami Mental Health Shabbat is ‘Bringing Mental Health to the Table’

Jami says, “This special Shabbat is an opportunity for us to encourage conversations on mental health, raise awareness of mental illness and distress and share ideas on how to support ourselves and others within our community. There are many ways for you, your synagogue, school, student or youth group to get involved and everyone can mark Jami Mental Health Shabbat in their own way. Some communities choose to arrange for members of their congregation to share their lived experience or invite mental health professionals to lead a talk, discussion or panel event.”

This year you can get involved by hosting a meal for JMHS and ask your guests to donate instead of bringing a gift, sign up for the free toolkit of resources (services, activities for all ages and much more) or donate at https://jamiuk.org/donate-to-jmhs_meal/ . For other ways to get involved please see: https://jamiuk.org/get-involved/jmhs/.

Jami Mental Health Shabbat coincides with Torah portion- Bo. On this Shabbat, we read about the plague of darkness, which can be likened to the experiences of many living with mental illness and distress. The Torah portion also talks about how the Israelites, full of hope, could see through the darkness into the light. This special Shabbat is an opportunity for us to encourage conversations on mental health, raise awareness of mental illness and distress and share ideas on how to support ourselves and others within our community.

As the Shabbat is this weekend, I want to show my support. Although I won’t be sharing our story in shul this year, everyone doing so should be so proud. I will be donating to Jami to show my support.

Where to get help with your mental health

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, there are a variety of options depending on the issue of concern.

SHOUT – 24/7 crisis text service – Text Jami to 85258
Jami is here to help with mental health support: jamiuk.org/get-support/referral, call 020 8458 2223 or email info@jamiuk.org
Jewish Listening Line on 0800 652 9249 (Sunday – Thursday 12:00 – 00:00; Friday 12:00 – 15:00)
Jteen support line for young adults https://jteen.co.uk/support/
Ring your GP or out of hours service for an emergency appointment
Contact your Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) if you have one
Samaritans – Call Samaritans on Freephone 116 123 (24 hours a day)
Call the Papyrus HopelineUK, on 0800 068 41 41 or text 88247 if you are under 35 and worried about how you are feeling. Or call if you are worried about a young person.
Call 999 or NHS Direct on 111 (England) or 0845 46 47 (Wales)
Don’t hesitate to call 999 in mental health emergencies

Heres to 10 amazing years of mental health conversations!

Eleanor x

Dealing With January Anxiety- Getting Back To Life After A Trip To Venice. By Eleanor

January 12, 2026 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ 2 Comments

(image: E Mandelstam: Burano)

I was hesitant to write this blog as my husband Rob and I have just come back from a truly wonderful holiday in Venice, Italy and I feel so grateful we had that time together. We had been waiting all year to go away properly and we had the best time. We walked over many bridges, saw some beautiful things such as St Marks Square and Basilica, Museo Correr (where I found the most incredible ballroom that was like the one in Beauty and the Beast- see photo below), The Doges’ Palace and we celebrated Robs birthday by going on a day trip by boat to Murano and Burano Islands. Murano is the home of stunning glassmaking and Burano is the island with the colourful houses and its a UNESCO world heritage site, famous for lace making. It was so pretty! We also toured the Jewish quarter- the ghetto in Cannaregio and synagogues, ate lots of delicious food (pasta and tiramisu) and went to Chabad (the Jewish centre) for shabbat, went shopping, took water buses and gondolas and just really enjoyed the time off work and exploring. Venice is a truly beautiful place and at every turn you can see something new and exciting- whether its a boat or gondola going along the canal or towers of meringues in a bakery window, to seeing an old lady shuffling over a bridge carefully with her stick and Italians carrying their dogs in little bags to keep them warm, Venice is full of character and of life. One of my favourite things was seeing the laundry (yes really) being hung out on pulleys over the canal in the Jewish Ghetto area, as they don’t have gardens.

I surprised myself this trip with how much I was able to do exercise wise. My husband loves to keep busy and lives life at a faster pace than I do and there were mornings where I found this hard and felt overwhelmed by the thought of the day, so rested and went out later in the day. But generally, we were able to go and explore some wonderful things together. There were a few days I did 14,000 steps a day! Which for someone who is quite sedentary normally, I was so pleased I could do this. Venice was just a truly beautiful city- we stayed in a lovely hotel that used to be a Palazzo (Palace) and had Murano glass chandeliers, it also was on the Grand Canal and had a Vaporetto (water bus) and Water taxi stop. Exploring the city with my husband gave me such a lovely focus and I was really amazed by how much I was able to do, how much walking I did, which proved to me that I can be active and explore.

(image: E Mandelstam- Museo Correr)

Coming home, I have felt hugely grateful to have had this time with Rob. However, adjusting back to normal life in January is hard anyway, but after a holiday I find my anxiety rises a bit. There have been plans I wanted to do here that I havn’t been able to do. However, I am working on it and on exposure therapy with myself to try and do more things here, go out the house more (as I work from home) and do what I can so that my anxiety doesn’t stop me from living my life.

When you have an anxiety disorder, it can be tough sometimes to go outside, to meet people, to do basic things in your normal environment. The weather is cold and dark early, all you want to do is hibernate. Which I feel is OK! I do notice though that its when I start feeling more anxious and unable to do things and can’t push myself that I have to take a step back and start looking after myself, just plan in a few small things to achieve. Overplanning for me tends to be a disaster! Even on holiday, if there was too much planned in, I found I couldn’t always do it and so we had to adapt plans, but I still did lots so to me, that was a win.

The January blues can be hard whether you have been lucky enough to go away or whether you are here and contemplating a brand new year and what it can bring. Remember to be kind to yourself and make things achievable. Whether you’re looking for a new job or you want to achieve another goal, know it will unfold at the right time. I am not good with being patient, but sometimes we have to be!

If you are struggling with your mental health and you need more support, please reach out to your GP, psychiatrist or therapist if you have one. I find things like taking my medication on time and getting enough rest also help me too. I am also counting the wins of thank G-d being well enough to travel and enjoying that time with my husband. I still achieved things and I have to remember I am capable of more than I think sometimes. The most important thing for me is making I do not spend too much time indoors- as the anxiety can then worsen.

(image: E Mandelstam- Cannaregio gondola)

How are you finding the January blues/ anxiety?

Eleanor x

Tips To Maintain Your Mental Health After A Baby by Sienna Warton

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 ~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Josh Willink)

Everyone tells you how amazing it is once the baby comes. And it is, no doubt. But everyone also skips the part of how hard and confusing it can be at times. You lack sleep, run on instinct and love, and all of the responsibility comes down on you hard. But all that’s normal.

Every parent gets that mix of joy and struggle at some point. However, if the downs start to outweigh the ups, you should take a pause and look at it more deeply.

All the Emotions No One Warns You About

Before birth, it’s all about the baby – the ultrasound photos, due date, tiny clothes and picking names. But few people prepare you for what happens after.

In reality, many of the emotional changes begin well before birth. Reading about mental health during pregnancy can help expecting parents notice early signs of anxiety or mood shifts that often carry into postpartum life.

All the hormonal changes and lack of sleep can make even the simplest task feel difficult. Anxiety, sadness, and self-doubt can creep in, sometimes out of nowhere. In fact, around one in five women experience postpartum depression or anxiety, and partners often feel it too.

But remember, no one really gets into it completely ready, and everyone learns as they go.

Rest Isn’t a Bonus, but a Necessity

“Sleep when the baby sleeps.” You’ve heard it a million times, and it’s certainly easier said than done. But rest really is essential. It’s how your body heals, and your mind resets.

You can try using the 5-5-5 rule: five days in bed, five days on the bed, five days near the bed. No strict formula to it, of course, but use is a reminder to slow down a bit.

If naps still seem impossible, just lie down for a few minutes and breathe, even when your brain insists that your baby needs you every second. And if someone offers to take a night shift, let them. One full night of sleep can change how you see everything.

Pregnancy and early parenthood can really impact maternal well-being. You must learn how to rest effectively, because your recovery is your number one priority next to your baby.

When “Baby Blues” Don’t Fade

Crying for no clear reason? Worrying constantly about the baby? That’s normal in those first days. However, if it lasts more than two weeks, or you start feeling numb, detached, constantly anxious and worried, there could be something more to it.

Watch out for signs like:

Persistently low mood
Trouble bonding with your baby
Racing thoughts or panic
Appetite or sleep changes that don’t make sense
Thoughts of harm to yourself or your baby

If these sound familiar, reach out to your doctor, midwife, or mental-health professional. With help, things do get better. Getting support early makes healing faster and safer, for both of you.

Take Care of Your Body

It’s hard to think clearly when you haven’t eaten since breakfast or when you’ve lived on coffee for days. Keep yourself hydrated – a water bottle within reach works best. Your body needs steady fuel, especially if you’re breastfeeding.

Once your doctor says it’s okay, take short walks or stretch a little. You don’t need to “work out”, just move a bit. And if you’re healing from a C-section or stitches, follow the recovery plan. Pain makes everything harder.

Small Things Count

Some days, you’ll feel like you’ve disappeared under all the baby tasks. But you’re still there, you just need to remind yourself.

Try reclaiming tiny moments. Close the bathroom door and take that shower – even if it’s a quick one. Put on a song you love. Drink your coffee before it goes cold. It sounds silly, but it matters. The little things add up. You don’t need a meditation app or fancy breathing routine.

Just stop for a second, notice your breath, maybe wiggle your toes on the floor. That’s it. Even a minute or two of peace can reset your nervous system.

Know When to Ask For Help

There’s a point where no amount of self-care or deep breathing can help. If you’re struggling to function, or if each day feels harder instead of easier, that’s your signal. That doesn’t mean you’re weak; it means you’re human.

Postpartum depression and anxiety are real medical conditions, but they’re treatable. A doctor, midwife, or therapist who understands postpartum life can help you find the right mix of support. Sometimes that’s talking, sometimes medication, sometimes both. The right kind of help makes everything easier.

Give Yourself Time

Recovery after birth doesn’t move in a straight line. One day you’ll feel like yourself again, the next you won’t, and that’s fine. Your body, mind, and heart all need time to settle into this new life you have.

Rest when you can, ask for help when you can’t.

Some days, progress is just making it through – and that’s still progress.