Words That Heal: Why Messaging Is a Strategic Tool for Israel’s Recovery

Since October 7th, Israeli society has been living under ongoing psychological threat—waves of trauma, stress, and profound uncertainty. In my decades of experience in mental health, including with soldiers and civilians exposed to some of the harshest situations imaginable, one thing has become clear: words matter.

The way we speak to the public during times of collective crisis can either accelerate healing—or deepen harm. That is why I have joined efforts to promote psychoeducational messaging as a critical component of our national response to trauma. Not as a substitute for therapy, but as a public health intervention in its own right.

What Is Psychoeducational Messaging?

It’s the delivery of clear, research-backed messages to help individuals understand what they are experiencing. These messages normalize emotional responses, reduce stigma, and guide people toward help early—before symptoms worsen or become chronic.

We know that most people who experience trauma will not go on to develop PTSD or any other psychiatric disorder. But without the right information, many begin to fear that something is deeply wrong with them, or that they are alone in their struggle. That sense of isolation and confusion is dangerous—and preventable.

Why Messaging Now?

Today, millions of Israelis are feeling overwhelmed, angry, exhausted, or disconnected. These are natural responses to an unnatural situation. But in the absence of accurate, calming, and validating public messaging, people often internalize distress as illness—or turn to ineffective or even harmful coping mechanisms.

We already know the power of clear public communication. Think of Pikud HaOref (Homefront Command). In times of war, they don’t send out philosophical essays or ambiguous slogans. They tell us exactly what to do: where to go, how long to stay there, how to keep our families safe. These simple instructions save lives, reduce panic, and build trust.

We need the same kind of clarity when it comes to mental health. Not just what’s happening—but what to expect, what is normal, when to worry, and how to respond. The brain, much like the body, seeks guidance in times of threat. If we leave a void, fear and misinformation will fill it.

Psychoeducational messaging offers a low-cost, high-impact way to address this national need. It does not require thousands of new therapists or clinics. It simply requires us to say the right things, at the right time, through the right channels.

What Are “The Right Things” to Say?

Let me give you a few examples of messages we’ve found helpful in the field—whether addressing soldiers, civilians, parents, or community leaders:

• “Not everyone exposed to trauma will develop PTSD. Most people will continue to function and live full lives, even if memories remain painful.”

• “Trauma can lead to physical or mental illness—especially PTSD, depression, anxiety, or substance use. But all of these are treatable.”

• “The main treatment for trauma is not medication—and certainly not cannabis or recreational drugs. It’s talk therapy, with an emphasis on cognitive-behavioral approaches.”

• “To heal, it is critical to maintain routine and stay engaged with work, community, and family—even when it feels hard or joyless.”

• “Ongoing distress doesn’t mean disease—it means you’re coping. But to cope well, we must recharge: with friends, prayer, sport, play, purpose.”

• “When you feel like you can’t go on, that’s exactly when you should reach out—to a friend, a professional, a meaningful cause.”

• “Post-traumatic growth is real. Israel itself was born from trauma. Growth begins with hope, and with the choice to see not just the crisis—but also the path forward.”

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These are not slogans. These are scientifically supported truths that we can give to our population as anchors of resilience.

What Happens Without It?

I’ve seen it far too often: silence becomes confusion, confusion becomes fear, and fear becomes pathology.

• Soldiers self-medicating with cannabis instead of receiving trauma-informed care.

• Parents misreading children’s emotional withdrawal as “bad behavior.”

• Survivors believing their reactions are proof of weakness or damage—when in fact they are completely normal.

  
  

With the right information, so much of this suffering could be mitigated or avoided altogether.

The Role of Local Leaders and Decision Makers

I want to emphasize something that many overlook: local municipalities and local leaders have a unique role to play. Why? Because you, the mayors, educators, rabbis, and local officials, are visible and trusted in ways that national bodies sometimes are not. You are the ones speaking at community centers, appearing in local news, sending messages to WhatsApp groups and schools.

When these leaders speak using the right messages, they reinforce trust and offer direction. They make it easier for people to seek help and harder for stigma to survive. You become not just managers of crisis logistics, but messengers of healing.

To the decision-makers: I believe this is one of the most strategic investments you can make right now. You don’t need to choose between messaging and clinical services—they work best together. 

Messaging increases help-seeking, ensures better engagement with therapy, and decreases shame. It also buys time for the overburdened mental health system by providing people with tools to cope and build resilience on their own or within their communities.

Campaigns can be designed and launched quickly. They can be scaled. They can be targeted to different communities—religious, secular, Jewish, Arab, children, soldiers, caregivers.

We already have the science. What we need is the implementation.

You can:

• Integrate psychoeducational messaging into your public communications.

• Partner with clinical experts to develop scientifically accurate, emotionally sensitive content.

• Equip your local teams with language and tools they can use consistently.

• Support the development of broad-based campaigns in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, Amharic, and English.

• Back training for trusted community figures to become mental health messengers.

• Invest in impact measurement—to track not just how far a message travels, but how well it supports recovery.

  
  

A Final Word

We’re not just fighting a war of rockets and headlines—we’re navigating a war on our collective psyche. And in this war, our greatest weapons are sometimes the simplest ones: truth, clarity, reassurance, and connection.

I’ve devoted my life to mental health—on the battlefield, in hospitals, and now in the community. I’ve seen what happens when we act too late. And I’ve seen the power of saying the right words at the right time. I am available to anyone who wants support with this. 

Let’s not waste this moment. Let’s use our voices—wisely, bravely, and together.