Rabbi Areyah Kaltmann is the director of Lori Schottenstein Chabad Center of Columbus and director of LifeTown Columbus. For more information visit www.chabadcolumbus.com .
Jews around the country and in Ohio have just celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the beginning of the High Holiday season. The two-day holiday marks the beginning of the High Holiday season. Literally translating to “head of the year,” Jewish tradition teaches that Rosh Hashanah sets the tone for the entire year, much like our minds — represented by our head — dictate the functioning of the rest of our body.
This is why we celebrate Rosh Hashanah with prayer and introspection rather than extravagance or revelry. If we begin our year with a healthy mind and positive intentions, we are best equipped to tackle challenges throughout the coming 12 months. This emphasis on mental and emotional well-being are said to be one of the keys to ensuring a prosperous and successful year ahead.
For Ohioans, the significance of mental well-being cannot be overstated. Recent statistics reveal that 21% of Franklin County’s 1.3 million residents struggle with mental illness, and 10% face issues with substance abuse. Franklin County handles approximately 30,000 mental health episodes annually, most of which take place in overcrowded hospital emergency rooms. Our healthcare system is stretched to its limits in responding to this mental health crisis.