When you hear the word “depression”, what do you think of?

In recent years, the frum world has done a remarkable job in raising mental health awareness and common problems such as clinical depression, which were once swept under the rug, are now being educated and normalized in our circles.

One brave mother from Tifrach, Israel, shares her personal experience after her husband was diagnosed with clinical depression:

“I think only those who have been through it seem to truly get it,” explains Chaya Lieberman, a mother of six.

“Waking up with the baby several times a night and then waking up at all hours of the morning and getting the kids ready for school, all while your husband sleeps until late afternoon. You try to get him to help you, or at least to let the kids see him getting dressed in the morning. You tell him you aren’t managing and ask for help but he groans and says that he simply isn’t up to it. 

You try your best to remain positive. You make the kids’ sandwiches, push the double stroller up the endless hill and drop them off at school. You try to make sure they are bathed and presentable and keep the house clean but it’s too much on one woman’s plate. Then, your husband gets fired from his job. Things slowly start to fall apart. You are a preschool teacher and your salary alone is not nearly enough to survive with six kids. Your credit card at the pharmacy declines. Your neighbor is nudging you to pay back the money you borrowed. You feel like you are drowning, but you can’t give up, for your kids.”  Click here for Chaya’s full story>>>

It is heartbreaking that some families are living like this, and the frum world needs more women like Chaya, who are shedding taboos on these pervasive and surprisingly common issues. More awareness brings more intervention, which leads to healing, which can have a positive ripple effect for generations to come.

Until then, Chaya’s children are suffering. Funds are being collected here to give them the normal, healthy home that every child deserves. Please consider making a donation here to help give them the stability they are desperate for.