Many people dream of one day getting married and having a family; but the path to getting to that point is sometimes far more difficult than one could have imagined. And even when the desired outcome is reached, other variables can create obstacles to achieving a truly content life. But when a person is able to seek assistance and finds the resources that he/she needs, a happy future becomes a real possibility.
Elana*, a 38 year-old woman and first time mother, reached out to Amudim looking for a therapy referral. She lives in a small and warm out of town community that she has been an active part of for over a decade. But behind the facade of helping with shul projects, welcoming new neighbors and running her own business, Elana had been dealing for years with anxiety and depression connected to her struggles with infertility. When she called us, it was with the bittersweet news that she had recently had a baby, a preemie; but she was feeling both emotionally and physically overwhelmed and unable to find joy in what she had yearned for for so long. A close friend who knew what was going on had told Elana’s husband about Amudim, and he encouraged her to call.
Our case manager listened sympathetically to Elana’s story and immediately recommended a local therapist who could help her with the renewed feelings of anxiety and learning to balance her life and responsibilities. She also made sure to let Elana know that she was not alone, and that taking care of herself and ensuring her own wellbeing was the best way to care for her family.
Elana and her case manager have stayed in touch for several months, and Elana has expressed now feeling empowered and less isolated than she did at the beginning of this journey. As she continues weekly therapy sessions, she is learning coping skills, emotional regulation and building a strong foundation on which to build a happy life for herself, husband and their daughter.
If you or someone you know needs help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Amudim is just a phone call away and here to provide any necessary assistance.
*Names and details have been changed for privacy purposes.
Each week, Amudim fields calls covering a wide range of crises and addressing various human concerns, including addiction, depression, abuse, health and domestic emergencies and many others. We track the calls and breakdown of issues for many reasons, foremost of which is to consistently improve and strengthen our knowledge and ability to address community’s needs.