There are phrases no child should have to utter.
Recently, my nine-year-old granddaughter flew to Spain for a family wedding. It should have been a joyous adventure filled with laughter and late-night sweets. Instead, upon landing, she asked, “What happens if there’s an alarm? Where’s the mamad?”
In her mind, this question made complete sense. For many Israeli children since the events of October 7, such thoughts are a part of daily life.
While we often discuss the trauma experienced by soldiers—those who return to conflict repeatedly and witness unimaginable horrors—we must remember that trauma affects a broader circle. It includes children who constantly search for safety, teenagers struggling to sleep, and parents anxious about their children in active military service. It even affects therapists, who listen to pain day after day, often carrying their own emotional burdens.
Israel is currently facing a significant mental health crisis. PTSD doesn’t only impact soldiers; it pervades our schools, communities, and households. People wear masks, saying “We’re fine,” when they’re clearly hurting.
One overlooked aspect of this crisis is: Who supports those who support others?
Recently, a small yet impactful initiative in Safed offered a glimpse of hope. The Tikva mental health program, part of KeepOlim, organized a retreat for therapists. This retreat wasn’t just about relaxation; it directly addressed therapists’ burnout—an alarming issue as they cope with overwhelming workloads and their own experiences of trauma.
Seventeen therapists participated in this event, focusing on rejuvenation through various activities, including therapeutic breathing and meditation. One participant described feeling a “lighter heart” and a “renewed focus on self-care,” while another mentioned the retreat as a “warm embrace” that recharged their batteries.
The concept of resilience was a central theme. As one participant aptly noted, “Resilience is not leaving our pain behind; it’s transforming it into meaning.” Real resilience acknowledges pain and uses it to help others.
Therapists need support too. They’re not machines; they are human beings who require rest, community, and care to do their jobs effectively. If we neglect their well-being, we shouldn’t be shocked when they can’t continue to care for the rest of us.
Tikva is filling a crucial gap in mental health care for immigrants in Israel. Many new arrivals face unique challenges, including language barriers and isolation, especially during tumultuous times. Having someone who understands both the immigrant experience and trauma can be incredibly comforting.
The retreat site, Beit Binyamin, also plays a vital role in this story. Established in memory of a fallen soldier, it offers healing to combat veterans and bereaved families. The Airley family, who lost their son, turned their grief into a sanctuary for others, demonstrating remarkable strength in the face of sorrow.
The needs for mental health resources in Israel are immense. We require more therapists, better funding, and trauma-informed care in various institutions. The psychological impacts of current events won’t fade quickly; they’ll linger for years.
More than that, we must foster a culture of care that recognizes the interconnectedness of our responsibilities. Everyone—from soldiers to children and therapists—deserves support. Caring is a collective responsibility, rooted in the idea of chesed, or kindness, which sometimes means allowing oneself to be cared for.
Caring for the caregivers isn’t a luxury; it’s essential. Events like the Safed retreat remind us of the importance of connection and healing. Together, we can navigate through hardships, extending hands to lift one another as we forge a path toward recovery and resilience.
Source link
trauma,Mental Health,PTSD,War,treatment,healing
