Founding Director Of Metiv The Israel Psychotrauma Center
Projects Coordinator
Director, Peace Of Mind
Clinical Director
Researcher
UK Peace Of Mind Director
Development & Partnerships
Director Of Research
Community Relations
Groups Coordinator
Peace of Mind is not a PTSD program. Most IDF veterans do not suffer from PTSD, but that does not mean that everything is alright. Veterans may suffer from a variety of post-traumatic symptoms even without classification of PTSD. They too deserve to live their lives free of the emotional and mental burden from their military service.
The group nature of the program allows it to be non-stigmatizing. Working with a unit allows Peace of Mind to engage with the entire range of post-traumatic symptoms, from those who are almost symptom free to those who are in urgent need of psychological care. Following the group intervention, those who need it receive individualized treatment.
Peace of Mind works with veterans from elite combat units who have been through traumatic experiences. The vast majority of these veterans are from all male units.
Peace of Mind has worked with a few mixed units and one all female unit, but most units are all male.
The veterans on Peace of Mind are not used to talking about their feelings. It may be very challenging for them to speak and share emotions that have until now been kept deep inside.
The distance from Israel allows the veterans to open up and speak in ways which they could not do in Israel.
Furthermore, the love and support of the host Jewish community plays a key role in creating a safe, quiet and supportive environment for the program.
Initially we started the program in cooperation with the IDF, and the IDF would refer to us units for the program. In recent years the units have contacted us on their own and we interview and place the units on our own. We are in regular touch with mental health professionals from the IDF but we are not part of the IDF, rather we are an independent recognized Israeli non-profit affiliated with Herzog Hospital and Hebrew University.
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