Police officers, soldiers, paramedics, firefighters—they arrived at the scenes of October 7 and found horrors beyond description. They carried out their duties with steady hands. Then they went home—and many haven't been okay since.
Mental Health First Aid Israel prioritizes the mental health of first responders, who often face a double burden: the trauma they witness and the pressure to appear invincible.
In this community, stigma is especially fierce. Seeking help can feel like admitting failure, risking careers or reputations. MHFA Israel addresses this by providing peer-based support—responders helping responders.
Training emphasizes recognizing signs of secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout. It also encourages preventive self-care: physical exercise, time with family, and honest debriefing after difficult calls.
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