Hard-hitting new film sheds light on mental health in the Orthodox Jewish Community

  • ITV Granada Reports correspondent Tim Scott spoke to Eli Hassell about his film

A new film based in Orthodox Jewish Community aims to highlight the mental-health issues felt by many young people there as they struggle to deal with the pressure to conform and succeed.

"Levi" tells the story of Levi, a Jewish youngster, who arrives home from studying at a Yeshiva, a religious school.

Desperately unhappy, Levi is unable to communicate how he feels to his family. He would rather study to become an architect but feels he is letting his family down by wanting to take a different path. Unable to express his feelings, he considers taking his own life.

The film is the brainchild of Manchester-based political podcaster Eli Hassell.

Eli Hassell

He says the idea came after he speaking to many people in the Orthodox Jewish community who were struggling with their mental health.

Eli said: "I want young people in the community who are going through mental problems to be able to watch this film and realise there is a way out.

"I've seen a lot of it, a lot of younger people suffering with mental health and sometimes really bad cases, talking about suicide, it's tough seeing this."

Eli says while the community is self supporting, somewhere where everyone knows everyone else, that can also mean people can be apprehensive about sharing their problems in case others find out.

It means mental health issues can be internalised and get worse. And for young people like Levi in the film, who have a very particular path mapped out for then by their family, expressing how they feel can be very difficult.

Rabbi Avrohom Yeshaya Goldman was a consultant on the film.

Rabbi Avrohom Yeshaya Goldman

Avrohom runs a 24-hour Jewish mental health helpline, based in Manchester.

He says that within the Jewish community, like the world at large, there is a stigma around talking about mental-health. B

He said: "It's so close the small Jewish community so whenever anyone struggles, they feel that this might be impact who I'm going to marry, might impact my siblings, my family.

"So much so that a father or a sibling or a mother might feel that their family might be better off without them."

He thinks the film is 'phenomenal' and will hopefully help to reduce the stigma around mental health.

It's hoped that the NHS will soon be using the film as a tool to get people talking when they work in the Jewish community.

Worried about mental health?

Mind

Mind is a mental health charity which promotes the views and needs of people with mental health issues.

It provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem, and campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

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PAPYRUS

For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice you can contact PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org

Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in the UK. PAPYRUS aims to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by breaking down the stigma around suicide and equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.

HOPELINE247 is the charity’s confidential 24 hour helpline service providing practical advice and support to young people with thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned about a young person who may have thoughts of suicide.

HOPELINE247 is staffed by trained professionals, offering a telephone, text and email service.

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The Martin Gallier Project

The Martin Gallier Project are a Wirral-based charity dedicated to helping individuals and families across the North West of England.

They were the UK's first Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention charity. The project offers non clinical suicide interventions on the high street, with no barriers to access, waiting list or criteria.

The service is open 7 days a week 9.30am-4.30pm - lines and emails are only monitored during these hours.

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CALM

CALM, or the Campaign Against Living Miserably, runs a free and confidential helpline and webchat – open from 5pm to midnight every day, for anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems.

It also supports those bereaved by suicide, through the Support After Suicide Partnership (SASP).

  • Phone their helpline: 0800 585858 (Daily, 5pm to midnight)

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Samaritans

Samaritans is an organisation offering confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

  • Phone 116 123 (a free 24 hour helpline)

  • Email: jo@samaritans.org

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Andy's Man Club

ANDYSMANCLUB is a men's suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online.

It wants to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and create a judgement-free, confidential space where men can be open about the storms in their lives.

The charity runs weekly, free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups for men aged over 18.

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James’ Place

Suicide prevention centre in Liverpool offering life-saving support to men in suicidal crisis.

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YoungMinds

YoungMinds is a resource with information on child and adolescent mental health, but also offers services for parents and professionals.

It is the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health, and wants to make sure all young people can get the mental health support they need, when they need it

  • YoungMinds Textline - Text YM to 85258

  • Phone Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 4pm)

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EPiC HOPE

EPiC HOPE is managed and run by a team of dedicated, passionate and compassionate people. Staff and volunteers who want to stop suicides and save lives.

Crisis HarboursAt the Crisis Harbours, our trained and compassionate Peer Supporters with lived experience are here to offer immediate support if you’re going through a mental health crisis, including feeling suicidal. We provide a safe alternative to A&E and can help connect you to other support once the immediate crisis has passed.

Community HarboursAt the Community Harbours, you can drop in for a couple of hours in a safe, welcoming space. You might be going through a bereavement, a breakup, feeling lonely, or just need a chat. Whatever you’re facing, you’re welcome to join us for a brew and some friendly support, even if you’re not in crisis.

  • Email: help@epichope.org.uk

  • Phoneline: 07483186351 for their Crisis Harbour

  • EPiC Men - A support group just for men Every Thursday, 7pm - 9pm

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