UJS

Student Voices

Student Voices

August 12 2025

Kate- Reflections from a Welfare Officer

Whilst University is a time of excitement, socialising and an opportunity for growth, it can also be very tough. Students often find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of coursework, the complexities of social lives, financial concerns, and the challenges of adjusting to new changes. In fact, 74% of Jewish students reported experiencing a mental health difficulty in the last 12 months. [1] And if that’s you, you’re not alone. 

For Jewish students, there are additional challenges; facing antisemitism and seeking out individuals who genuinely understand their experiences can significantly impact their mental wellbeing. On top of that, many Jewish students feel a responsibility to represent their community, especially in prevalent conversations about Israel and their Jewish identities. It’s a lot, and it’s okay to acknowledge that.  

One of the best things you can do for your mental health is to find your people - the ones who lift you up, support you, and make you feel seen. Being a part of a community can be a real lifeline when things feel heavy, whether it’s through a JSoc, a sports team, a society, or just a group of close friends.  Having people around you, who understand what you’re going through really makes all the difference. 

It’s so easy to put your own wellbeing on the back burner when you’re trying to keep up with deadlines, responsibilities, and social lives, all at the same time. But taking care of yourself isn’t selfish - it is totally necessary. It can make a huge difference when we set boundaries, take breaks, and make time for the things that bring us joy - whether it is Shabbat dinner, a gym session, or simply getting enough sleep. 

University can feel overwhelming at times, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Be kind to yourself, reach out when you need to, and remember that it is okay to have bad days. Take things one step at a time, and trust that there will always be people who want to support you, and are rooting for your successes. 

Kate – 1st Year Psychology in Education Student, Bristol JSoc Welfare Officer 2025  

 

Lottie's Story -My mental illness took everything. My community helped me take it back

https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/opinion-my-mental-illness-took-everything-my-community-helped-me-take-it-back/Lottie Cannon

This is Mental Health Awareness Month. It marks three years of my anorexia recovery and two years free of self-harm. 

COVID began when I was 16. At the same time, I was being bullied by someone who made me want to disappear. When we went into lockdown I felt I had no control over my life. The only thing I could control was my diet.

I already knew how to count calories – I’d been doing so since I was 14 –but my overwhelming need for control led me to lower the numbers and tighten the restrictions. Summer 2020 was supposed to be when I went on Israel tour, something I had looked forward to more than anything. COVID stole that from me.

When I started sixth form, I was already quite unwell. I had nothing to look forward to, which only worsened the restriction and, as a result, the eating disorder.

In February 2021, I was admitted to the Camhs Eating Disorder Team‘s intensive service. Although I wasn’t even allowed to attend school and spent most days staring at a hospital wall, I still couldn’t see what I was doing to myself.

3 August 2021 was the day I truly realised how ill I was. It wasn’t the tube through by nose and down the throat or the possibility of never going back to school. It was watching my brother leave for summer camp. I’d been going to camp every summer since I was 11 and I loved it more than anything. The sense of community I felt there was unmatched. Being unable to take part in something I adored so much opened my eyes to how much this illness was taking from me.

Fast forward a year. I put everything into my recovery. I ate the pasta and worked through the discomfort. And I found my joy. I celebrated my first year of attempted recovery on camp with my friends – my Jewish community. Eating disorders are, sadly, very common within our community, but there is support available. Charities like Jami and Camp Simcha were a massive help to my family when I was unwell. They do such incredible work

When I reflect on how my journey links to my Jewish identity, there’s a lot to unravel.

I’ve never fully understood the depth of my love for camp – the sheer joy I feel when surrounded by a Jewish community, whether on Noam or, more recently, through the UJS Leadership Fellowship. That need to return to my Jewish bubble was what first motivated me to recover.

I’ve now been in recovery from anorexia for two years, but that doesn’t erase the fact that I had it. Balancing my Judaism with my mental health is something I’m still learning. Restrictive festivals like Yom Kippur and Pesach will always be difficult. Mentally, I struggle with not having my “safe” foods during the week of Pesach, but spiritually I remind myself that restriction is not the goal.

A quote that has always resonated is, “We live by the laws; we don’t die by them.” I live for my Jewish the community I’ve grown up in. Community is important for everyone, but especially for someone battling mental illness.

I never hid the fact that I was ill. Part of me felt the need to prove that I was “sick enough.” That I could be slim. That I could have scars. As disordered as that thinking was, it led me to build another strong community – like my Jewish one – of people who shared similar struggles.

Eating disorders are, sadly, very common within our community, but there is support available. Charities like Jami and Camp Simcha were a massive help to my family when I was unwell. They do such incredible work.

Today, my life is eating disorder-free. I truly have my community to thank for that. It’s a lifestyle I’ll always cherish.

• Parents can access help and advice for children struggling with an eating disorder HERE             

                                                                       

Nina's Story- My Mental Health Journey

October 07 2021

*TW: The following entry has elements of anxiety*

Before the beginning of the pandemic, I was fortunate enough to have never experienced real mental difficulty. 

Of course, I experienced anxiety and low moods from time to time, but it never seriously impacted my daily functioning.

When lockdown hit, I was nervous about being fenced in but excited about the opportunity to spend time with my family and catch up on some Netflix shows. The reality of lockdown was, for me, quite pleasant. I got into a great routine of morning walks, afternoon naps and baking and I enjoyed the relative peace and solitude.  

My biggest personal challenge actually came when lockdown was eased and we began to return to normality. The bubble of safety and comfort I had built around myself was shattered and I found it very difficult to handle. The biggest struggle I had was with my personal relationships and returning to the level of ease and comfort 

I had around people previously. I went from being relaxed and carefree to having 7, 8 panic attacks a day. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat and I had no idea what was happening to my mind as it felt like I

 had lost all sense of myself. It was absolutely terrifying. Eventually, after being referred around the block, I found a therapist that had availability for me and began to explore what had gone wrong. I was quite quickly diagnosed with OCD and GAD and put on medication to alleviate my severe anxiety. 

Being diagnosed with not one, but two, mental health disorders was actually very validating for me.  Like many others, I had a perception of OCD as excessive cleanliness or fear of germs and I didn’t see how this could possibly translate to my experience. But, as I began to learn more about other aspects of OCD, things started falling into place and a lot of my previous behaviours of mental health so much in the past, adjusting to my new diagnoses was challenging but it validated a lot of what I was feeling and helped me realise that I was not alone in my struggles.  

The next few months were especially challenging and it required a lot of personal strength for me to get through it. I was fortunate enough to be matched with a therapist that really understood me and helped me work through all of my underlying issues, as well as the most incredible support network of family and friends. As we all know, the journey to recovery is not linear but I am working on it. 

I would love to tell you that I am completely recovered today and back to my old self, but that would be untrue. There are still many days that I struggle with my OCD and I am still going to regular therapy sessions to deal with this, as well as continuing to take medication to manage my anxiety. The hardest thing for me has been to accept my new normal. I so badly wanted to go back to the way I used to be and to rid myself of all anxiety forever, but I am now instead learning to live with my illness and loving myself for it. 

Back when I was in my worst state, I could never have imagined that I would end up where I am today. It was difficult for me to leave the house some days, let alone run a national campaign or represent 8,500 Jewish students on a national level. But I made it through and I am in a vastly better place today. I am so grateful to those who helped me get to this place and for those who continue to support me every day.  

The point of all this isn’t for me to laud my achievements over you but rather to show you that it really does get better. I recognise my immense privilege in having the support system and access to therapy that I do but I am still very proud of the journey I have been on.  

Please reach out and tell us your stories; we want to hear them so we can create a community of voices and support each other through the hard times. As always, if you are struggling, please know that you are not alone and take a look at our resources for support or help dealing with a mental health crisis.  

 

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