In the wake of the immense challenges that have emerged since October 7th, 2023, the lines between personal struggles and national responsibility have become increasingly blurred. This was evident during the recent conference held by Enosh, Israel’s leading mental health association, where professionals from various sectors came together to reflect on how they are coping with the crisis and, more importantly, what lessons they’ve learned. The conference, which took place on September 4, was packed with important discussions, interventions, and insights.
From remarks by the Minister of Health, Uriel Busso, to an inspiring address by Israel’s First Lady, Michal Herzog, it was clear that mental health is finally receiving the national attention it deserves. This blog, however, focuses on just one of the discussions that unfolded during the day—a powerful panel on How We Coped and What We Learned that was moderated by Tal Alexandrovitz-Segev, and honed in on on how professionals in the field are coping with the unprecedented demands placed upon them.
The panel featured Dr. Gilad Bodenheimer, Head of Mental Health Services at the Ministry of Health; Professor Guy Doron, Chief Scientist at GGtude and a professor at Reichman University’s Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology; Sharon Bloom Melamed, Head of Social Services at Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality; and Dr. Hila Hadas, CEO of Enosh.
Learning on Steroids: A National Responsibility
As Tal Alexandrovitz-Segev opened the session, she framed it perfectly: “Each of us here has faced immense challenges, which began on October 7th. Many responsibilities, personal struggles, and significant tasks were added on top of everything else. I’d like us to share how we coped during this period.”
What followed was a raw and honest conversation about the weight of the national crisis. Dr. Gilad Bodenheimer reflected on the unique burden that the mental health system has had to carry in this period of chaos. “The greatest difficulty is the national responsibility we’ve had to bear," he said. “It’s a heavy burden, especially in such a chaotic situation.”
Bodenheimer described the complexity of responding to the crisis, given that the mental health system was already under-resourced before October 7th. The sudden need for a large-scale response was overwhelming, but it also provided an opportunity. “I remember the first moments in October when I realized we needed to create a response to the massive scale of the crisis. That realization was overwhelming and could have easily led to hopelessness,” he admitted.
However, it wasn’t all despair. Out of this overwhelming situation, a spirit of collaboration emerged. For Bodenheimer, the ability to work together with various sectors, including new partnerships with philanthropists, provided hope. “Before October 7th, there was almost no conversation with philanthropic organizations, but suddenly, they wanted to help,” he shared.
Innovation Versus Human Connection: The Role of Technology
The panel then shifted to the tension between innovation and the need for human connection in mental health care. Professor Guy Doron, who not only teaches at Reichman University but also serves as Chief Scientist at GGtude, a company dedicated to integrating psychological insights with technology, weighed in on this issue.
When asked about the role of technology in mental health care, Doron acknowledged the discomfort some people have with relying too much on digital tools, but he emphasized that technology can provide critical support when resources are stretched. “We all strive to be connected to other human beings, and that’s important, but there are stages where technology can assist,” he said.
Doron highlighted the ways in which technology can be integrated into mental health—particularly in moments where human interaction isn’t available. “For instance, while people are waiting for treatment or preparing for therapy, technology can help maintain progress between sessions or even sustain the therapeutic impact after treatment," he explained.
There’s still a reluctance to fully embrace technological tools, especially among professionals who worry that it might compromise the personal connection between therapist and patient. But for Doron, technology doesn’t replace human connection—it can complement it. "We can provide more comprehensive care to more people if we integrate technology into the process,” he said.
His insights were timely, as the mental health system faces increasing demands while grappling with limited resources. Technology, Doron argued, is essential in bridging that gap. Yet, as he noted, there is still a “conservative approach” that resists these changes.
Resilience in the Public Sector: Strength in Partnerships
Sharon Bloom Melamed, who heads the social services department in Tel Aviv-Yafo, painted a vivid picture of what it means to be on the front lines of a crisis. As someone responsible for managing both the public and welfare services for Tel Aviv-Yafo, her team has been stretched to its limits.
“In the first weeks after October 7th, 95% of our workforce came in physically to work, even though missiles were falling. We aren’t the type to work from home in a crisis,”
Melamed shared, capturing the immense dedication her team showed during those challenging weeks.
Her department was responsible for managing shelters for 19,000 evacuees at the height of the crisis, and they are still caring for 4,000 people today. The professionalism and resilience of her staff were key to keeping things running, but as she pointed out, it wasn’t just their individual efforts that made the difference—partnerships played an essential role.
“One thing we’ve learned from all of this is that partnerships are key,” Melamed said. Working closely with government, civil society organizations, and philanthropic foundations enabled them to establish mental health programs like headspace for youth, offering crucial services during this period of immense strain.
These collaborations weren’t just functional—they were transformative, allowing the public sector to scale up and meet the needs of the moment.
“It was a time when partnerships that were previously hard to establish suddenly became much easier because everyone had a common goal,”
—she reflected.
The Role of Philanthropy: Caution with Care
One of the most thought-provoking contributions came from Dr. Hila Hadas, CEO of Enosh. Hadas emphasized the critical role philanthropy plays in mental health, but she also cautioned that too much, too fast, can be a double-edged sword.
“We need to plan carefully when we accept philanthropic funds," she warned. "Too much, too quickly, can hurt. Resources that come in too fast, with the pressure to use them immediately, can actually create stagnation rather than progress."
Her remarks were a reminder of the delicate balance between receiving support and ensuring it is used wisely. Hadas underscored the importance of long-term planning and sustainable resource management. “It’s important to maintain flexibility, gather data, and create best practices,” she explained, advocating for a more measured approach to how funds and new approaches are integrated into the system.
Enosh, which has been at the forefront of mental health innovation in Israel, has had to anticipate future challenges, often long before the government responds. "At Enosh, we deal with a wide range of mental health issues across the country, and we often see trends before they fully develop. It’s our responsibility to alert the government and say: ‘We’ve identified something here.’”
Conclusion: Moving Forward with Hope and Caution
This panel exemplified the heart of the day’s discussions -- finding the balance between personal struggles and public responsibility, between innovation and human connection, and between receiving help and managing it wisely.
From Dr. Bodenheimer’s reflection on the weight of national responsibility, to Professor Guy
Doron’s insights into technology’s role in mental health, to Sharon Bloom Melamed’s testimony about resilience in the public sector, and Dr. Hila Hadas’ caution about the role of philanthropy—it’s clear that Israel’s mental health professionals are working not just to respond to the present crisis but to shape a better future.
The lessons from October 7th and beyond remind us that while crises are inevitable, the way we respond to them—individually and collectively—can transform our struggles into progress and resilience. As Dr. Bodenheimer put it, “Out of chaos, we’ve found opportunities.”
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