The State of Israel has been facing a significant crisis for the past seven months, with a focus on national trauma. The mental health system, which was already struggling to meet all needs prior to this crisis, is now facing increased demand for assistance without sufficient infrastructure or therapists to support it. Local authorities in the south and throughout the country are grappling with this new reality, as they are the main interface between residents and the services they require.
To address these challenges, CIVIX has launched its first cycle of Urgent Challenges track, which will focus on mental health issues faced by individuals and communities following the events of October 7. Participating authorities will form innovation teams that will undergo specialized training and receive methodological support in researching and characterizing the challenges in order to better meet the needs of residents. These teams will develop innovative solutions to enhance well-being and mental resilience based on data-driven and resident-focused processes, in collaboration with the Bloomberg Philanthropic Foundation and the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation.
Itay Aigs, CEO of CIVIX, emphasized the need for a multi-dimensional approach to tackle the mental health crisis in Israel, working alongside existing care systems. Local governments are seen as crucial partners in developing complementary solutions to support residents. The Mayor of Sderot, Alon Davidi, highlighted the importance of creativity and effectiveness in finding solutions to address the mental health challenges faced by residents, emphasizing the need for tailored responses to individual needs and to mitigate the impact of trauma.
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