Israel’s mental-health community is struggling to meet the growing demand for trauma care. With so many organizations, including not only hospitals and health funds but also the IDF, the National Insurance Institute, and the school system promising support to people suffering from trauma, therapists with little to no experience in trauma treatment are being asked to deal with extreme and complex cases of grief, terror, and battlefield trauma.
Through tailor-made trainings and individual assistance, the Metiv Israel Center for Psychotrauma aims to give knowledge and support to mental-health professionals to ensure that they can care for diverse populations affected by the current situation. Metiv’s experts also help other groups, such as parents of young children and families of reservists, to understand and deal with trauma.
Metiv has trained some 4,400 since October 7, and thousands more will benefit in the coming year as they gain the capacity to treat and support Israelis who have experienced trauma.