Given the experiences of the Second Lebanon War, it is clear that one of the biggest challenges facing many residents of the north and of Sderot is their ability to deal with trauma both during and after security threats. Magbit Canada recognized the need to provide tailor-made treatment programs for Israelis of all age groups – from the young to the elderly – so as to enable residents to better deal with the symptoms of trauma and to develop preventative tools to help in the event of a future crisis. As a result, Canadian Federations are supporting trauma response programs through their Israel Emergency Campaign allocations.

In Sderot, NATAL operates a mobile trauma unit that travels throughout the city to help local residents. Clinical psychologist Dr. Roni Berger, Director for Community Services in NATAL, writes this week:

"I worked with several families this Friday in Sderot. The meetings were emotional and intense; it was difficult to see how people who are otherwise were fully capable adults suddenly lose their ability to function. Many of them tried to conceal their suffering from me; on the other hand, there were others who we have treated for anxiety in the past and who were successfully able to continue functioning this week despite the renewal of attacks.

I joined several homes for Shabbat meals and I was extremely pleased to see families utilizing the tools we have given them over the past few months, and to see how they all support one another. Several times during meals there were sirens warning of attacks (and a missile fell and hit one of the factories), but despite these disturbances, we kept eating – a tribute to the incredible Shabbat dinners in Sderot."

In Kiryat Shmona, Mashavim operates a post-trauma art therapy program for junior high students. This week, Mashavim opened a mobile exhibition of some of the drawings the participants have created. The rationale behind this project is to enable youth from the region to express their emotions and fears following the war, through a non-verbal means. The program targets normative youth who have not yet fully processed their experience of the war and thus may be victim to symptoms of post-trauma.