When schools reopened in the weeks following October 7, teachers returned to classrooms filled with questions, fears, and silence. They were expected to educate—while still processing their own trauma.
Mental Health First Aid Israel has partnered with schools across the country to train educators in trauma-informed teaching. This includes recognizing signs of distress in students, adapting lesson plans to emotional capacity, and establishing classroom routines that restore a sense of safety.
But equally important is supporting the teachers themselves. Many saw their students as surrogate children; their sense of failure to protect them runs deep.
MHFA Israel encourages schools to create support circles for staff, where educators can share experiences without judgment. No one should have to be a hero every day.
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