Welcome to the first 2020-2021 edition of The Breather! This academic year might look very different from previous years, but The Breather still remains, along with its mission: destigmatize mental health and give Yeshiva University students a forum to talk about it.
We are Shayna Herszage and Avigail Winokur, the co-editors-in-chief of the 2020-2021 Breather. Shayna, returning for her second year as co-editor-in-chief of The Breather, is a senior studying psychology (neuroscience track) and English (creative writing track). Avigail is a first-time member of the team, and she is a junior studying biology (neuroscience) and creative writing. We are both passionate about advocating for mental health and making sure people have the space they need to talk about it.
As the past six months have been anything but typical, mental health remains a pressing issue that demands our attention. If we’ve learned anything from this pandemic, it’s the importance of giving ourselves space to process and heal when faced with global chaos.
Across social media, posts often state that a person should use this time to learn a new language, start a small business, and work toward other goals one might not normally have time to achieve. While the rhetoric online has been full of posts meant to inspire productivity, a consequence is that those who are struggling with their mental health feel pressure to match up.
In the midst of this pressure to be increasingly productive during the ongoing pandemic, it seems that people have, ironically, almost forgotten that we are in a pandemic. Lives and livelihoods have been lost, as well as the stability that came with the regular pattern of life to which we were all accustomed. This year, given the pandemic and the uncertainty it brings, almost everyone’s mental wellbeing is more strained than usual. Data supports this notion: according to Crisis Textline statistics, a mental health crisis textline, there has been an increase of 49 times the usual number of texts in the United States since the pandemic hit the US in March. How can a person start a new business, learn how to knit, or learn French in a time of crisis?
For many, taking up hobbies has been a coping mechanism and a therapeutic way to pass the time. It should be noted, however, that - particularly during a pandemic - no one is obligated to be productive. If anything, this pandemic has proven that the lightning-fast pace at which many of us live our lives is simply unsustainable. Many people have been making peace with the world’s seeming deceleration by engaging in increased self-care and checking in on their mental health daily. During this confusing period, be sure to make time for yourself and your wellbeing, even if it means putting a hold on learning how to speak a new language.
We’re excited to hear the voices of Yeshiva University students amplified and reflected by this publication. We hope to provide a platform for people to relate and discuss, and a means to spark difficult but important discussions about mental health in our communities. We’re looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts, reflections, and feelings about The Breather, and we can’t wait to get the conversation started.
Shayna Herszage and Avigail Winokur
