Psychoeducation: Bringing Clarity and Dignity to All

On May 28, our monthly ICAR Collective webinar topic was Psychoeducation and Healing: Supporting Recovery After Traumatic Events. The timing was poignant: that day marked 600 days since October 7th—600 days of heartbreak, uncertainty, and a substantial shift in our country’s mental health.

The discussion focused on how psychoeducation—teaching people about mental health and trauma responses—can transform confusion into clarity and restore dignity for those navigating life after trauma. 

ICAR’s co-founder and Executive Director, Gila Tolub engaged in conversation with Prof. Jonathan Huppert, Founder of the Center for Trauma Recovery and Director of the Laboratory for the Treatment and Study of Mental Health and Well Being at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Jonathan also serves on ICAR Collective's Scientific Advisory Board and has been working with us since our inception.

Gila opened by reflecting on the reality we are all facing. That day marked not just a point in time, but what she called “600 days of heartbreak and ongoing uncertainty,” and she reminded us that mental health is not a side issue but “a national one.” She shared new data from Eran’s hotline showing 66,000 calls from soldiers, reservists, and families struggling with guilt, shame, and a sense of not recognizing themselves. For Gila, psychoeducation is about making sense of these confusing emotions. When someone says they keep snapping at a partner or can’t sleep, she explained, being able to respond with, that makes sense, here’s why, and here’s what you can do about it, restores dignity and normalizes what people are going through.

When Prof. Huppert was asked to define psychoeducation in layman’s terms, he said it is “simply teaching people about the psychological aspects of what they’re experiencing—trauma itself, the results of trauma like PTSD, and also information about treatment.” What makes it so critical after trauma, he noted, is that how people view their own reactions has a direct impact on how long they suffer and how badly or well they function. “The more they can accept what’s happening as normal, the less likely it is to become pathological,” he explained.

A big part of the conversation focused on clearing up misconceptions. Many people assume everyone exposed to trauma develops PTSD, but as Jonathan pointed out, most don’t—rates typically range between 10–20 percent. And for those who do develop PTSD, it does not mean they are weak. He stressed that the biggest predictors of PTSD are the severity of the trauma and the level of social support, not something wrong with a person’s character. He also addressed the belief that trauma inevitably leaves permanent damage. “We used to think the brain was fixed,” he said, “but now we know it’s incredibly flexible. Trauma can affect the brain, but it also adapts when people recover.” In fact, some trauma survivors experience what is known as post-traumatic growth, emerging from life-threatening events with a deeper sense of meaning or spirituality, or a renewed motivation to give back. This growth can happen alongside anxiety or PTSD; it is not one or the other.

We also talked about how to make psychoeducation accessible and effective. Jonathan emphasized that it must feel authentic—“eye-to-eye, not top-down.” He sees technology as a powerful enabler, whether through short videos, social media campaigns, or podcasts, and noted that influencers can help translate these messages into language people actually use. He shared an example of a self-help book, Making Meaning After Difficult Events, which his team translated and adapted for Israel in partnership with Jewish Federations of North America, Using Israeli characters ranging from a Zaka volunteer on October 7th to a Nova survivor, a soldier, and an Arab woman caught in a missile attack, the goal, he said, was to make sure anyone reading could see themselves in the content. To reach those who don’t read books, they are preparing digital versions, an audiobook, and even a companion app.

Gila pointed out that even small, practical tools can make a difference. “Think of a refrigerator magnet or a bookmark with simple techniques—square breathing, movement, connecting with friends, spending time in nature. These are small but powerful reminders,” she said. Jonathan agreed, noting that small messages in familiar spaces can sometimes have as much impact as a therapy session in a clinic.

We asked Jonathan about the risks of missing the window for early psychoeducation, especially now, with the war still ongoing for two years. Is it too late? He explained that common reactions to trauma are depression, hopelessness, and burnout. This is particularly in prolonged crises. So we are not too late but we must act fast - if people lack coping tools, these reactions can spiral into chronic conditions that are far harder to treat later.

As we closed the conversation, we asked Jonathan for one message he would give to people across Israel today. He said that almost anything someone is experiencing that makes them worry something is wrong with them is probably what most people are experiencing. The best course, he said, is to acknowledge and accept these feelings, to share them instead of hiding them, and when resting, to rest in order to recharge, not to avoid life. Gila added that many people who have been directly affected by war or violence do not want to be treated as victims or as sick, but want to be supported in rebuilding their lives. “Social connections are the best therapy,” she said, noting that naming what you are feeling often takes away some of its power, and that staying engaged with life—even when it feels tiring—is a key part of recovery.

We ended on a hopeful note, imagining what Israel could look like after a comprehensive psychoeducation campaign. Jonathan described a future where people cope better, know when to seek help, and no longer feel they have to compare their trauma to others before deciding if they “deserve” support. Instead, they would have knowledge and skills at their fingertips to manage their reactions and reach out when needed.

For me, the takeaway from this discussion was clear: psychoeducation is a public health necessity. It is about more than surviving trauma; it is about supporting people to live fully again. And as Jonathan reminded us, “The brain is resilient, and so are we.” We are committed to making these tools accessible—through books, apps, podcasts, and campaigns—so that people across Israel can feel supported and empowered to heal. 

ICAR Collective is building a circle of partners to launch a National Psychoeducation Campaign. Reach out to me at: lisa@icarcollective.org if you’d like to join us.