Helping the helpers: One year on from the 7 October attacks in Israel

As the 1-year mark of the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks passes in Israel, the mental health crisis triggered by the atrocities of that day looms large.

Frontline responders, such as the ambulance drivers and health workers in hospitals who received the wounded or were first to attend the scenes of the attack, witnessed first-hand the carnage and horror. Others, who later supported with the identification of bodies and the preparation of the dead for burial were also powerfully affected by what they saw.

In response to this collective trauma, one organization, Mashiv Ha'Ruach (which translates as "Bringing back the spirit"), is providing mental health and psychosocial support for frontline workers. Its workshop retreats, which have been supported by WHO/Europe, offer a safe space for participants to discuss and process their experiences, and to develop resilience and coping mechanisms that enable them to face the future and support other frontline workers.

Helping the helpers

In the days after the attacks, like many others, Eyal Kravitz, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mashiv Ha'Ruach watched videos of responders helping in unimaginably difficult situations. "I just felt that the first responders and the caregivers would need assistance. So I decided to build a supportive group for civilians." He worked with co-founder Daniel Chermon and others to draw up a plan of action.

"So many people came forward to help in the days after the attacks," recalls Chermon, "And we thought, who is helping the helpers?".

Vered Atzmon Meshulam, another co-founder and Professional Director of Mashiv Ha'Ruach is one of those helpers. In the immediate aftermath of the 7 October attacks, she volunteered as a psychologist...