Sheba Medical Center opened a new psychological treatment center in northern Israel on Wednesday, intended for security operatives and their families who may be suffering from trauma.
The center, called the Mevo’ot HaHermon - Sheba Clinic, UJA NY Home, is located at the Mevo’ot HaHermon Rehabilitation Campus at Koach Junction and was founded in partnership with the US-based Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), with support from UJA-Federation of New York and Friends of the IDF (FIDF).
The treatment center is also the first of its kind to be established in northern Israel, providing a wider range of coverage and opening new opportunities for residents of the area.
In addition to individual and group therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the center provides treatment for anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, grief and loss, sleep disturbances and nightmares, and relationship and family challenges.
It also offers a dedicated support group for spouses of combat soldiers.
After October 7, Israeli healthcare system must address both body and mind
“The war has presented Israel’s healthcare system with an unprecedented rehabilitation challenge, affecting not only the body but also the mind," Prof. Amitai Ziv, Director of Sheba’s Integrated Rehabilitation Hospital, said.
"At Sheba, we have supported security personnel for many years, and our experience has taught us that trauma care must be professional, continuous, and accessible. It must address not only the individual service member but also the family around them."
Ziv also said that since October 7, Sheba has taken on the responsibility of building a nationwide support network with its partners.
"The opening of the center in northern Israel is another important step in this effort, allowing us to bring Sheba’s accumulated knowledge and expertise closer to those who need it.”
New York community's mobilization allowed for support to northern Israelis
Director General of UJA-Federation of New York in Israel, Itzik Shmuli, said, “The extraordinary mobilization of the New York community enabled us to begin supporting northern Israel from the very start of the war, reaching an unprecedented scale across more than 100 communities throughout the region."
He added that, since October 7, "UJA has allocated more than $366 million to provide essential support to the people of Israel, a tangible expression of our love for Israel and the mutual responsibility that guide our community.”
Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Liron Donnell, CEO of FIDF Israel, emphasized the importance of the center after the October 7 massacre and ensuing war. “Since October 7, we have seen just how much the psychological impact of trauma continues long after service members return home, and how deeply it affects their families as well. Our contribution to establishing the center in northern Israel is intended to help security personnel and their families access high-quality, professional care closer to home. Together with Sheba and CVN, we will continue expanding mental health services and supporting service members and their families throughout their recovery.”