Gila Hammer, only 18 years old, died by suicide two months ago. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott speaks with her father, Rabbi Shalom Hammer, about Gila’s life, her mental illness, the ways that the system failed her, the symptoms that parents need to know, and the lessons everyone can learn from both her life and her tragic death.

To contact Rabbi Hammer, write to [email protected], and visit his website at www.rabbihammer.com. His facebook page can be found here.

To contact his organization Makom Meshutaf, go to www.makommeshutaf.com.

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Music: “Happy Rock” by bensound.com