In line with its major expansion in the field of mental health, Bnei Brak’s Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center announced the opening of its new Department of Eating Disorders and Pediatric Psychiatry.
This new department incorporates the existing Eating Disorders Outpatient Clinic, a Pediatric Psychiatry Day Care & Inpatient Ward, a Malnutrition Unit, as well as an Obesity Unit.
The dedicated team of professionals includes psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, occupational therapists, and specialists in psycho-drama, pet, music, gardening, and self-awareness therapies.
After urging global audiences to help create a dedicated hospital department to treat anorexia and other highly destructive eating disorders, Professor Rael Strous, Medical Director of Mayanei Hayeshua’s Mental Health Center proclaimed, “The community is no longer immune to anorexia and other highly destructive eating disorders. We must respond urgently to this clear case of Pikuach Nefesh.”
Dr. Moshe Rothschild, founder of Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center, avers that because of the particular sensitivities around this field of medicine, and the spiritual hazards posed by treating mental health issues at a secular mental health facility, many cases go untreated in the religious community. That’s why Mayanei Hayeshua recently opened a mental health wing catering specifically to the cultural needs of this community.
Esther Herman, head of Mayanei Hayeshua’s Eating Disorders Clinic, emphasized “An eating disorder is essentially a struggle over the life of someone whose distorted thinking prevents them from understanding how much harm they are causing to themselves. Even patients who understand how serious their situation is, and who want to be healed, find it hard to break their obsessive patterns of behavior.
“Many of the patients who arrive at Mayanei Hayeshua are in an advanced stage of the illness. Their desire to continue losing weight is paramount. When we have no choice, and we assess that the patient’s life is in danger, forced hospitalization can sometimes be the only solution.”
Located in central Israel, Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital services over 250,000 residents in Bnei Brak, Petach Tikvah and Ramat Gan. Committed to operating in accordance with Halacha and Torah hashkafa, and highly sensitive to the needs of the religious patient, the hospital features understanding staff, a fully equipped Beis Medrash, and special protocols for Shabbos and Yomim Tovim. All this comes side-by-side with top-notch medical services throughout the various wings of the entire medical complex.
Several years ago, the OU released a 45 minute documentary on eating disorders in the Jewish community; “Hungry to be Heard”.
Very sad.
Unfortunately, anorexia has caused damage to the frum community for decades. Now help is available in Eretz Yisrael, hopefully soon where other Yidden are located. Let us not forget that the arrival of Moshiach, soon, in our days, will end all suffering, including eating disorders.