For most of his adult life, Yaakov* looked like he had it all together. At 27, he held down a job, attended shul regularly and was close with his family. But behind closed doors, he was drowning in sadness and anxiety. His days were marked by emotional exhaustion, and his nights were filled with racing thoughts and an overwhelming sense of loneliness.

Since his teenage years, Yaakov had struggled with feelings he couldn’t quite name. He chalked it up to stress or being “too sensitive.” But as the years went on, the darkness deepened. Relationships became harder to maintain, and the internal shame of “why can’t I just be normal?” grew louder. The people around him didn’t know. On the outside, Yaakov seemed fine. On the inside, he was falling apart.

Finally, Yaakov reached a breaking point; and for the first time, he admitted to himself that he needed help. Yaakov had seen Amudim mentioned online, and while it took everything he had, he picked up the phone and called.

From that first call, everything began to shift. Our case manager offered him space to speak freely, without judgment or pressure. Yaakov broke down. Not because he was weak, but because he finally felt safe enough to let it out. They discussed his symptoms, and Yaakov’s case manager provided psychoeducation around depression, anxiety, and the ways trauma can manifest over time. We worked with him to identify a qualified therapist in his area and also helped coordinate financial support to make treatment accessible.

Yaakov began therapy the next week. At first, he wasn’t sure it would help. But over time, with patience and consistency, he started to feel lighter. He learned to identify negative thought patterns and to understand that his pain had a history and that healing was possible.

Today, nearly a year later, Yaakov is still in treatment. He’s made meaningful progress and built healthier relationships. He’s not "cured"—but he’s grounded, aware, and no longer carrying the weight alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Amudim is just a phone call away and here to help.

*Names and details have been changed to protect privacy.