A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A 2011 photo shows the Dietl family on Kevin Dietl’s first day at A.T. Still University Osteopathic Medical School in Kirksville. From left are Diana, Kevin, Michele and John Dietl. Kevin Dietl took his own life on April 23, 2015, a few weeks before his medical school graduation. The Dietl’s story is included in a documentary, ‘Do No Harm,’ which will screen in St. Louis Oct. 15 and 16. 

Med student’s suicide shines light on epidemic among health practitioners

By Ellie Grossman-Cohen, Special to the Jewish LightPublished October 10, 2019

With warm brown eyes and a playful sense of humor, Kevin Dietl was a caring and compassionate person who preferred to greet people with a bear hug over a handshake. As a promising medical student at A.T. Still University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine...

Samantha Crall

A bird in the garage

By Nathan CrallPublished October 13, 2016

Editor’s note: The following is an edited excerpt of a eulogy Nathan Crall delivered at the memorial service for his cousin Samantha Crall, who committed suicide in September. For the full version of Nathan’s eulogy, please visit stljewishlight.com/crallOn...

J. Martin Rochester, Curators’ Teaching Professor of Political Science at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, is author of 10 books on international and American politics, including the recently published  “New Warfare:  Rethinking Rules for An Unruly World.”  In addition to teaching courses in international politics, international organization and law, and U.S. foreign policy, he has served as chair of the Political Science Dept. at UM-St. Louis.

No easy answers in fight against student depression, suicide

By Marty RochesterPublished July 20, 2016

On most measures, the vast majority of Americans have seen their lives improve over the years. For example, in 1940, only about 40 percent of homes had central heating, 60 percent had flush indoor toilets, and 70 percent had running water, not to mention...

Panel discussion to focus on anxiety, depression in youth, young adults

Published February 25, 2016

Congregation Shaare Emeth’s Mental Health Initiative (SEMHI) will hold a panel discussion on “Anxiety and Depression in Youth and Young Adults” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1. The panel features three community members who have experienced the impact...

Ellen Rosenbaum talks during a meeting of Achraiyut (Hebrew for ‘to assume responsibility’) at Congregation Neve Shalom. The group, founded in 1993, is for individuals living with mental illness. The group meets the first Monday of the month. Although most of the group’s members are Jewish, it is open to individuals of other faiths as well.

Confronting mental illness: No easy answers

By Ellen Futterman, EditorPublished June 6, 2012

Jason Wilson wants people to understand that although he hasn’t been able to work full time since 1999, he’s neither lazy nor is he a loser. What he is, he explains, his voice choking with emotion, is mentally ill. The 41-year-old was diagnosed with...

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