May the One who blessed our ancestors and named us Israel bless and heal those among us who struggle with mental well-being. May they acknowledge their own strength and resilience, treat themselves with forgiveness and patience, and find help, compassion, and resources when they need them. And, may the Holy One grant those of us who aren’t experiencing mental health issues the strength, resilience and capacity to listen without judgment and with intention, and the ability to notice when others are struggling. May we create communities that accept, uplift, and support those among us who are struggling. Now, speedily, and in a time soon to come. Amen.

May you know you are never a burden. You are always a blessing.

May you never doubt my love for you and hope for you to live your life to the fullest. May you know your diagnosis is not your identity. 

May you never think your illness is your fault or that if you were stronger or more resilient, then  you would not have this health challenge.

May you have the strength to ask for help when you need it and believe you have the strength to fight your battles.

May you come to understand that friends who faded away during your struggle still care but don’t know what to say or do to show their support.

May you learn new skills, recognize and build on your strengths, and benefit from medication and nutrition to improve your mental health.

May I show you the love and support you need at the right time and with an open heart. May I be more patient, less demanding, and more accepting of where you are in the moment.

May you live to be an example of hope for others who struggle.

May we help others to think more deeply about supporting with kindness and dignity families like ours that struggle with mental health.

May Hashem bring you a complete and speedy healing, happiness, and blessings.

The One Who Blessed Our Ancestors, Ruach HaOlam, Breath of the Universe, heal me…

I need a Healing Prayer.

But I can't do it.

I don't have the soothing words.

I'm in pain

Right now

And it's been going on for a while

And it looks like it's going to last longer than it takes to say any prayer.

So instead I offer to you a Pain Prayer:

What was solid is porous,

What was secure is scary,

And everyone wants to hurry me through my grief.

It will be so much better, they say, when this is over:

You will be transformed!

Yes, I say, but into what?

Yes, I say, but I’m not there now!

Yes, I say, but please, let me mourn first.

“Refa’aynu Adonai V’Nayrafay

Heal us God, and we shall be healed.”

Can this be true?

Where is that healing of the body, mind and spirit?

Is it in the music?

Is it in my friends?

Is it in prayer?

So I listen to the music

And I am transported away from the hurt.

I look around at my community

And I am taken care of.

I recite this prayer

And I speak to God.

I guess this is a healing prayer after all.

Baruch Atah Adonai, The One Who Blessed Our Ancestors, Ruach HaOlam, Breath of the Universe,

Healer, Healing, Healed. Amen

-Trisha Arlin

“May those who love you be at peace.

May there be well-being within your ramparts,

peace in your citadels.”

For the sake of my kin and friends,

I pray for your well-being;

for the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

I seek your good.

– Sefaria Community Translation

This invocation, written by two mothers, one Muslim and one Jewish, invites us to take their plea for peace into our hearts and into the world. It has been shared widely by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie and the Lab/Shul community.

Let us Light Candles for Peace

Two mothers, one plea:

Now, more than ever, during these days of so much crying, on the day that is sacred to both our religions, Friday, Sabbath Eve

Let us light a candle in every home – for peace:

A candle to illuminate our future, face to face,

A candle across borders, beyond fear.

From our family homes and houses of worship

Let us light each other up,

Let these candles be a lighthouse to our spirit

Until we all arrive at the sanctuary of peace.

-by Sheikha Ibtisam Mahameed and Rabba Tamar Elad-Appelbaum

Baruch Atah Adonai

Brucha At Shechinah

Blessed One-ness, Blessed Connection, 

Kadosh Baruch Hu:

We pray for all who are in pain

And all who cause pain.

We pray for those of us

Who are so angry

That we have lost compassion for the suffering

Of anyone who is not a member of our group.

And we pray for those of us

Who cannot see the suffering

Behind the loss of that compassion.

We pray for the strength

To resist the urge to inhumanity

That we feel in times of fear and mourning.

We pray for the courage

To resist the calls to inhumanity

That others may make upon us in times of crisis.

Baruch Atah Adonai

Brucha At Shechinah

Blessed One-ness, Blessed Connection,

Kadosh Baruch Hu:

May we find relief from our hurts and fears

And may we not, in our pain,

Lose our empathy

For the hurts and fears of others.

We pray for all who are in pain

And all who cause pain.

Amen

-by Trisha Arlin