Program Updates

One year after the Oct 7th massacre and the continuation of Israel’s longest war, Operation Iron Swords, there are over 19,000 Israeli children diagnosed with severe psychological symptoms such as PTSD, acute anxiety, grief, functional impairment, and even suicidal tendencies.
As you know, Oct7KIDS focuses on the mental health and psychological wellbeing of our youth. With the sheer number of children suffering from negative effects of the war, Oct7KIDS had to search outside our various therapeutic programs which are administered one-on-one. Clearly, a program targeting children in group settings was needed; a recovery method that would service a quantity of children, without sacrificing quality of treatment. Recovery Support Groups were the solution. Drawn on the work of Dr. Abraham Low in the 1940’s, (now recognized as the first CBT [Cognitive Behavioral Therapy]), this modality gives a child the opportunity to build and rely on their own inner strengths. By providing an outlet to examine their personal difficulties, they are taught skills and tools to better cope with the stress and triggers in daily life.
We are using Recovery International’s POWER YOUR MIND workbook geared to youth, in a seven-lesson curriculum imparting Dr. Low’s method.
Translating the POWER YOUR MIND (PYM) material into Hebrew was quite a task. Of necessity, we reworked the original examples and commissioned corresponding artwork to appeal, not only to our Israeli youth, but simultaneously to be relatable to both of our cultures, i.e., religious and secular.
Oct7KIDS has successfully published the Hebrew version of POWER YOUR MIND, which is freely given to each participant, along with the lessons, and continued peer-to-peer support groups facilitated by their adult leader.
With your financial support, Oct7KIDS can continue training adult leaders such as social workers, guidance counselors, therapists, madrichim, and teachers to instruct and supervise these Recovery Support Groups.