Friends of the Israel Defense Forces recently began a partnership with Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, Israel, to focus on the mental health of soldiers.
The $87.5 million partnership, officially signed and launched about two months ago, will address post-traumatic stress disorder among Israeli soldiers, veterans and their families, according to a FIDF spokesperson in New York City. said a FIDF spokesperson in New York City. be identified.
Lane Schlessel, executive director of FIDF’s Ohio branch, told The Clevelander: “The goal of the partnership is to build a relationship that will help the families of Israeli soldiers (and) all others affected by war in the future. ” he said. Jewish News, April 26th.
The program, a national solution for mental health and resiliency for IDF soldiers and veterans, includes Building Resilience for Pre-Combat PTSD, the Soldier Recharge Program, and a partnership with Sheba Medical Center for Veterans , there are four approaches: the creation of mental health treatment facilities. The number of active duty soldiers will be increased to help combat the psychological effects of war, a spokesperson said.
To strengthen pre-combat resilience, FIDF is funding a research and development center dedicated to this undertaking that will help understand what IDF soldiers experience during wartime, the spokesperson said. .
The Soldier Recharge Program will temporarily remove entire units from their posts, give them time to rest, undergo testing for early detection of PTSD, and give them the opportunity to receive treatment if needed, the spokesperson said. . Soldiers can also be screened for and, if necessary, treated for other mental health issues that may arise related to war.
The partnership with Sheba Medical Center is a partnership between the Zakhar Disabled Veterans Organization, a non-profit organization focused on rehabilitation for disabled Israeli Defense Forces veterans, and the Israeli Ministry of Defense to support veterans and their families across Israel. The goal is to expand mental health resources for people with disabilities, a spokesperson said. .
The funds FIDF is putting into the program will expand medical center capacity by 50% and establish centers in Israel’s northern and southern regions, the spokesperson said.
The fourth pillar of the program is the creation of a facility for mental health treatment of active-duty soldiers, which will help address the importance of on-duty treatment and will be the first of its kind in Israel, the company said. the person in charge said.
Schlessel said mental health research and treatment is important not only for IDF soldiers but also for the communities they serve.
“This is important not only for the soldiers but also for the Israeli community,” he said. “We believe that the impact of this war is the longest that our IDF has been involved in, but we don’t even know how far the impact will be on Israeli society. And FIDF is at the forefront of this issue. ” for the well-being of our soldiers and their loved ones. ”
100% of the donations FIDF has received since the October 7 surprise attack on Israel by Hamas, which killed 1,200 Israelis and took approximately 250 hostages, will go toward creating and sending hygiene kits for soldiers. , used to support war efforts such as ensuring safety. A spokesman said the soldiers had food and blankets.
But Schlessel said it’s difficult to know the next steps for the organization and the partnership because no one knows what will happen in the near future.
“Our local supporters have been asking, ‘What’s next?’ We all don’t know what’s next, but it’s clear that this is a great need going forward.” he said.
Publisher’s note: Lane Schlessel is a member of the board of directors of the Cleveland Jewish News Foundation.
