A new “Back to Life” center has opened at Beit Halochem Jerusalem, expanding the national network of mental trauma treatment centers established in partnership with Sheba Medical Center and the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, with support from Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF).
The new center is designed to provide advanced, accessible, and professional mental health care to wounded IDF soldiers and members of Israel’s security forces coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological injuries resulting from their service.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Prof. Amitai Ziv, Director of the Integrated Rehabilitation Hospital at Sheba Medical Center; Adv. Idan Kleiman, Chairman of the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization; Yossi Matityahu, CEO of the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization; and Col. (Res.) Alon Even, Deputy Director of FIDF Israel.
Since the outbreak of the Swords of Iron War, the number of service members requiring rehabilitation has increased dramatically. Approximately 26,200 wounded IDF soldiers and members of Israel’s security forces have been admitted to the Rehabilitation Department of Israel’s Ministry of Defense. According to department data, approximately 65% are coping with psychological conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, adjustment disorders, and depression.
The Rehabilitation Department estimates that by 2028, it will be caring for approximately 100,000 wounded veterans, including around 50,000 experiencing mental health injuries.
In response to the growing demand for mental health services, the “Back to Life” network was established to expand access to advanced treatment and bring the expertise of Sheba’s leading trauma specialists into local communities. Its model combines clinical excellence with community-based rehabilitation.
The establishment and continued expansion of the network have been made possible through the generous support of FIDF, which is committed to strengthening Israel’s rehabilitation services for wounded IDF soldiers and members of the security forces.
The “Back to Life” network brings together Sheba Medical Center’s clinical expertise in mental trauma treatment and the rehabilitation and community-support framework provided by the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization and the Beit Halochem centers.
Its mission is to make high-quality care available closer to patients’ homes and within a familiar rehabilitation environment, allowing them to receive professional treatment without having to travel to a hospital.
Each center is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, trauma therapists, and other mental health professionals specializing in trauma and PTSD. Patients receive a comprehensive continuum of care, including individual, couples, and family therapy; group treatment; rehabilitation support; and personalized treatment plans tailored to their individual needs.
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