Feb. 17, 2005 5:49

The opening of a psychiatric center in Bnei Brak for the discreet treatment of haredim, that – it is hoped – will help them overcome their fears of stigma has been approved, according to Dr. Michael Bunzel.

Bunzel is head of the Chiba psychiatric community clinic at Ma'ayanei Hayeshua Hospital, where the planned eight-floor facility will be built. He is also in charge of the clinic for the religious community at Sheba Hospital's psychiatry department.

Bunzel said at the Nefesh-Israel annual conference in Jerusalem on Wednesday that a day center would soon open, to be followed by an inpatient facility, after being approved by Health Minister Dan Naveh and Finance Committee Chairman Ya'acov Litzman.

Nefesh-Israel is the local branch of the International Network of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals.

While there was growing awareness of the need to treat psychological problems and psychiatric disorders in the observant community, many were very reluctant to seek treatment because of the embarrassment and concern that the "secret" of mental problems getting out in the community would ruin the chances of family members of finding a spouse, Bunzel said.

Haredim generally prefer observant therapists who understand their sensibilities and unique needs. At the clinic, there are four waiting rooms so that any patient can be alone in the room and not be seen by others, he added.

Stigma about emotional problems and concern over finding spouses were not unique to the haredi community, the American-born haredi psychiatrist said. He brought examples of research from southern India and China to prove it.

Professionals agree that psychiatric illnesses are in essence brain diseases – disorders that result from an imbalance in brain chemicals (neurotransmitters such as dopamine). But deep-seated cultural prejudices and fears caused discrimination against the emotionally disturbed, Bunzel said, adding: "It is not limited just to the haredi community, but to all sectors in Israel."

Patients who are thus stigmatized feel shame, suffer from denial and are reluctant to get treatment, causing a vicious cycle.

Stigma due to emotional disturbance is such a powerful force that when new mothers from several Israeli cities were recently asked to take a simple 10-question screening test for postpartum depression, half of those from Bnei Brak refused to participate; in secular locations, only a negligible minority declined to answer the questions, Bunzel said. As such, many observant Jews who need treatment fall between the cracks because of shame.

Bunzel urged that the issue of stigma about emotional disorders be "raised at every professional conference." He added that it was important to fight the phenomenon with education and by promoting contact between the general community and people who have been treated and rehabilitated.

While the two-day conference was meant for Israelis, it also drew participants from the US, the Netherlands, Brazil, England and Belgium.

Nefesh-Israel was established by Dr. Judith Guedalia and Leah Abramovitz of Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek Hospital.