The 7 October attacks, the consequential rise in antisemitism and the ongoing war in the region have all had an undeniable impact on the mental health and stress levels of those in the Jewish community. Jami, the Jewish community’s mental health service, now part of Jewish Care, has developed a range of resources to help people make sense of their feelings and reactions.
Jami’s series of short videos, featuring Philippa Car, Jami’s Senior Mental Health Education and Suicide Prevention Manager, in conversation with Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Stuart Linke, acknowledge the distress caused by these events, how people might experience this impact at a psychological level, how they can recognise and manage their distress, and ongoing signposting for mental health needs. There is also an accompanying downloadable information booklet, Understanding Our Reactions to Conflict in the Middle East and Antisemitism, which contains practical tips and advice to help people deal with stress and suggests ways to stay connected with others.
Philippa Carr, Senior Mental Health Education and Suicide Prevention Manager at Jami (part of Jewish Care), says:
“The Jewish community has faced deep psychological challenge since 7 October, which has been ongoing. The workshops we delivered as a response to the community’s initial grief and shock now have a legacy with the production of these resources. The climate of antisemitism that continues to bring discomfort and fear to many is a major challenge to mental health. We hope the resources will support the community and help with the ongoing stress and anxiety.”
These online resources, available at jamiuk.org/understand-our-reactions, aim to support continued use and longer-term support for the Jewish community. The booklet can also be accessed separately here.
The resources follow a series of psycho-educational workshops to communities and organisations that were delivered by Philippa Carr and Dr Linke, as part of an initial response to the outpouring of shock and anxiety following the 7 October attacks. One participant, who attended a workshop, said: “It made me understand that my reaction to events is ‘normal’,” while another felt the workshop had helped them to “better process my feelings”.
The development of these resources, which have been funded and supported by the Mayor of London, follows the engagement of London’s public mental health partnership, Thrive LDN, with communities who have been affected and impacted by the conflict. The London Jewish Forum and London Jewish Health Partnership have supported the development and creation of the booklet and the accompanying films.