But parents who are confronted with the fact that their child may benefit from psychological treatment may become defensive–and minimize their child\u2019s condition. They may feel that their role as nurturing and loving parents is being questioned.<\/p>\n
To make matters more complicated, parents may fear that their child or family will be judged or criticized if they seek therapy.<\/p>\n
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The more I listen to individuals who suffer from mental health conditions, the more I learn how hard it can be to tell a professional about anxiety, depression, or other issues. Mental health issues–despite how common they may be–often carry a particularly heavy stigma within the Jewish community. Many who suffer end up doing so in silence.<\/p>\n
Over 100 years ago, Sigmund Freud, a Jew, broke with history to de-stigmatize mental illness. Regrettably, many of us still haven\u2019t learned the lessons he was trying to teach.<\/p>\n
By submitting to the stigma, we are doing ourselves and our children a disservice.<\/p>\n
Talking in a supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere with a trained therapist provides the opportunity to gain awareness and increased ability to manage difficult emotions. Research shows how cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective in treating genetic and neurobiological conditions such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and even schizophrenia.<\/p>\n
We must realize that mental heath issues are more common than we know and nothing to be ashamed of. We must realize we are not at fault. We must trust that the benefits of therapy are worth it.<\/p>\n
We must\u00a0break free of our personal doubts to provide our children with the best possible care.<\/p>\n
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*Name changed for privacy.<\/p>\n
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