Board of Deputies president Jonathan Arkush has stressed the importance of this weekend's Mental Health Awareness Shabbat.

"Mental illness has been stigmatised," he said. "Discussing what’s wrong or how we feel has been taboo in much the same way as cancer was up until only a few years ago [remember the whispered conversations about the “Big C”?]. That, combined with our British attitudes of 'stiff upper lip' and 'pull yourself together', don’t allow much room for talking about our feelings, thoughts and things that just can’t be seen. And that is no different in the Jewish community.

"Someone with a broken leg wouldn’t try to carry on as normal without any help. So why should someone living with a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder?

"Thankfully attitudes now seem to be changing. What started with celebrities opening up about their own struggles of living with a mental illness is now filtering down to the general population. What once might have been a hushed and secretive confession is slowly becoming as commonplace as discussing any other physical ailment.

"Social media is playing its part, too. People have access to more information about mental health than ever before and role models openly discussing their challenges on Instagram or Facebook may encourage people to speak up themselves.

"We can be proud our community is happily opening up discussion of mental health. Jami has seen referral rates continuously rise over the last few years. Head Room, Jami’s café and mental health space, is thriving in the heart of our London community.

"The Board of Deputies welcomes, and are proud to be part of, this major step forward for mental health in the Jewish community."