In video: The IDF established a center for mental health services 28.02.24/doc
A conference on the importance of public psychology was held yesterday (Wednesday) at the presidential residence, in the presence of the wife of the president, Michal Herzog. The discussion was held together with representatives from the public psychology organizations, who warned of a lack of manpower and sufficient financial resources for proper treatment, this in light of a jump in the number of people in need of psychological assistance. Meanwhile, the conference dealt with the state of public psychology in Israel and in particular focusing on the Gaza Envelope, evacuees from the north and south, survivors, survivors of the massacre and soldiers who are dealing with post-trauma.
The president's wife, Michal Herzog, said that "in this difficult period, the mental resilience of Israeli society is being challenged in a way we have never known. We held a real emergency conference on the topic of public psychology, which focused, among other things, on the importance of strengthening this system, which accompanies dealing with personal and national traumas."
She further emphasized the need to normalize the discourse on mental health care and the need for it "This is always true and even more so since the events of October 7th. It is not a shame to ask for help, it is not a shame to talk, to look for an outstretched hand - and to find one."
"It's not a shame to ask for help." The President's wife, Michal Herzog, at a meeting with hostages returned from Hamas captivity./Government Press Office, Amos Ben Gershom
Dr. Noam Itzhaki, the chairman of the movement for public psychology and a resident of Bari, told about the situation of her community, and emphasized that the psychological consequences of the war do not escape anyone. "They think that babies don't understand. I can tell about a case in which a several-month-old baby slept all the hours of the attack in the MMD, he felt the anxiety of the environment and his parents and disconnected himself, even after the evacuation he didn't return to normal and continued to sleep for long hours, this is a depressed baby" Noa
Porat Haim, a psychologist and part of the Forum of Organizations for Public Psychology, reported that it is estimated that over 600,000 people will need mental health treatments following the events of October 7. She also claimed that there are no conditions that can sustain such a treatment system, this is in light of the fact that the treatment system has been pushed aside for years, and improper wages of those engaged in the craft.
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"The system was pushed aside for years."/spokesperson of the President's House
At the same time, we noted in the conference that with the call, all the psychologists in Israel saw themselves mobilized since October 7th to treat, help and save the lives of everyone who needs it. Dr. Shira Ben Did, director of the psychology department at the Hadassah Medical Center said that "I see our role as being responsible for the treatment and prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder. Every time I heard a helicopter near the hospital I had two thoughts. The first, who will be the treating psychologist, and the second is that I wish it wasn't close to me."
About two weeks ago, a discussion was held at Bar Ilan University, led by Health Minister Uriel Bosso, about the need to change the mental health system in light of October 7. "We need to change the training and specialization program in the psychology profession and build A new program that will match the changes Israeli society is going through," he said.
More on the same topic:
War of Iron Swords
Gaza war
psychology
Michal Herzog