Safe House Project
The Need
Since its inception in 1948, Israel has been forced to continually protect itself amid ongoing regional hostilities. This, in turn, means that there are many veterans of Israeli security forces who have participated in battle, leading to an increased incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
IDF combat vets with PTSD maintain a very delicate balance in life that can reach a boiling point in the blink of an eye. In that moment of acute crisis, they are often in a state of emotional turmoil and need a safe, quiet place where they can rest and regroup for a few days, receive psychiatric first aid, as well as be assessed and referred to appropriate care.
They need to know they are not alone and that help is at hand.
The Project
Recognizing the need, Sheba seeks to establish a unique PTSD security forces veterans safe house. The safe house will be a small home-like structure- a Villa on Sheba’s campus that can accommodate up to 4 people at any given time.
The house will be open and staffed 24/7, with an on-call psychiatrist and social worker to help stabilize veterans in an acute crisis, formulate a treatment plan, and find the right place for treatment.
Sheba’s Role
In collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Sheba, Israel’s City of Health and largest, most comprehensive healthcare facility, serves as a national center for the treatment and rehabilitation of IDF veterans suffering from PTSD.
In addition to operating the Defense Ministry’s PTSD Clinic, Sheba is also home to the Gal Workshop, a PTSD rehabilitation treatment program that helps veterans readjust to life as civilians, providing them with the emotional tools and skills they need to handle the challenges of everyday life.
Committed to supporting brave veterans, Sheba is looking to establish the new safe house to complement its existing programs.
Sheba launched the Security Forces Veterans
Safe House on 2 August 2022.
