The Children of War: Helping Israel's Youngest Survivors Heal
Children

The Children of War: Helping Israel's Youngest Survivors Heal

Children are not immune to trauma. They absorb what they cannot understand. And after October 7, tens of thousands of Israeli children faced experiences no child should witness.

May 2, 20241 min read

Children are not immune to trauma. They absorb what they cannot understand. And after October 7, tens of thousands of Israeli children faced experiences no child should witness.

Mental Health First Aid Israel has developed age-specific protocols for supporting young survivors. These include:

  • Play-based interventions: Because children process trauma through play, trained adults can observe and gently guide imaginative activities.
  • Consistent reassurance: Repeated, calm affirmations—"You are safe. I am here."—help rewire a child's nervous system.
  • Parental support: Often, the best intervention for a child is helping their parent cope. When caregivers are stable, children follow.

    • MHFA Israel reminds adults that children often express distress behaviorally—tantrums, regression, clinginess—rather than verbally. Patience, consistency, and presence are the antidotes.

    You might also like

    Children

    Children and Trauma: What Parents Need to Know

    Children are not small adults. They process trauma differently, often without words. A child who witnessed violence might seem fine—until the nightmares begin.

    Children

    When the Sirens Sound: Helping Children Cope with Ongoing Threat

    For many Israeli children, the threat is not past—it's present. Sirens may still sound. Schools may still close. Parents may still leave for reserve duty.

    Children

    Children of the Helpers: When Parents Work the Frontline

    Behind every paramedic, soldier, and social worker on the frontlines is often a family waiting at home. Mental Health First Aid Israel recognizes the invisible toll on the children of helpers.

    Want to Learn More About MHFA?

    MHFA training provides practical tools for supporting mental health. Join our community and become part of the change.

    Contact UsBack to Blog