In recent years, the youth in Israel’s northern region have been forced to cope with an ongoing reality of war and violence. Many times, this might cause emotional distress and post-traumatic disorders. However, despite a growing need, there is a real shortage of accessible supportive responses specifically targeting young people. Additionally, many adolescents refrain from requesting help because of fear of stigmatization, self-disclosure and negative social labeling.
The Shviley Ne’urim program was conceived with the understanding of the need for a unique solution, which is more experiential, social and involving activity in the nature, harnessing the therapeutic power of a peer group and based on the principles of trauma-informed cognitive-behavioral intervention. The program is designed for Jewish and Arab adolescents at the ages of 15-18 who have experienced trauma, particularly war and emergency-related events.
The program was designed and developed in partnership with the National Insurance Institute, and was expanded with the support of the Yeladenu – Our Children’s Resilience Initiative.
Program objectives:
- Early identification of youth coping with trauma disorders.
- The processing of traumatic events with recipients and their acquisition of coping strategies and tools.
- Raising awareness among educators, and providing the appropriate professional tools and strategies for identification and support of individuals coping with trauma.
Program structure:
- A three-day retreat in groups of 15-20 participants.
- Professional counselling team: trauma and outdoor training (ODT) specialist.
- Orientation sessions for the youths, parents and educational staff.
- Post-retreat follow-up sessions within the school framework – further support and reinforcement of tools and strategies.
- Referral to additional community-based care, if needed, in collaboration with parents and educational staff.
For more information: https://shvileyneurim.my.canva.site/home
