the pain you don't see....

I recently heard about a young man who killed himself after a lifetime of depression. So sad. It's sad that he was so sad that he couldn't find a better solution for his pain. Perhaps he was told to just 'snap out of it' or perhaps depression is really just that difficult to conquer.

It's quite difficult to seek help for mental illness. Many factors can be attributed to being "off", and not everyone has the monetary resources to trot around town from specialist to specialist to find the cure. Hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies (or food additives/allergies), genetic makeup, disorganization, emotional maturity (or immaturity) all can contribute to our misbehavior and cognitive health.

Plus, it's an invisible disease. Even though a person doesn't walk with a limp or require a wheelchair doesn't mean they are fully functional.

News like this bothers me, especially because so many suffer behind closed doors. People with mental health issues may try their best to appear normal to others, but silently struggle. Who can they turn to? How many friends and family are dealing with this? The perfect neighbor that everyone is jealous of might just be barely holding it together. How can we be a better support to others?

Women's Prayer Exchange

I just found an interesting website for women to submit their Hebrew name for other women to pray for them: http://www.chabad.org/tools/boards/board_details_cdo/type/10 Women basically can pray for each other - for whatever situation needs mending: money, children, finding a mate, needing peace in the home (Shalom Bayis), a refuah shelaymah (speedy recovery from an illness. I hope many women participate and get the answer to the prayers they have been needing.