Fieldwork
Israeli society is facing a sharp increase in the number of individuals in need of support and a caring presence, as well as a rise in those at risk of developing mental health conditions. This is a result of ongoing exposure to trauma, loss, displacement, and economic hardship—realities that have become even more pressing since the October 7th, 2023 disaster and the Iron Swords War.
Where Is the Program Active?
The pilot program is taking place during the 2024–2025 academic year at three academic institutions across Israel: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Sapir Academic College and Tel Hai Academic College. In 2025-2026 the program will extend to several additional institutions.
Approximately 200 mentors are already participating in the program during the 2024–2025 academic year. They are placed in about 40 field sites and provide meaningful human support to roughly 1,000 service users—both individually and in groups—from the North to the South of Israel.
Each participating institution is supported by a dedicated institutional coordinator, who plays a central role in ensuring the success of the field placement. The coordinator is responsible not only for matching participants with suitable placements, but also for providing ongoing professional guidance throughout the year, maintaining regular communication with field site staff, and serving as a key liaison between the academic institution and the field. This ensures that both the mentors and the service users receive the support they need, and that the learning goals of the program are fully met.
Where Is the Program Active?
The pilot program is taking place during the 2024–2025 academic year at three academic institutions across Israel: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Sapir Academic College and Tel Hai Academic College. In 2025-2026 the program will extend to several additional institutions.
Approximately 200 mentors are already participating in the program during the 2024–2025 academic year. They are placed in about 40 field sites and provide meaningful human support to roughly 1,000 service users—both individually and in groups—from the North to the South of Israel.
Each participating institution is supported by a dedicated institutional coordinator, who plays a central role in ensuring the success of the field placement. The coordinator is responsible not only for matching participants with suitable placements, but also for providing ongoing professional guidance throughout the year, maintaining regular communication with field site staff, and serving as a key liaison between the academic institution and the field. This ensures that both the mentors and the service users receive the support they need, and that the learning goals of the program are fully met.
אני לוקח.ת איתי את ההבנה העמוקה של מהות ההקשבה, ואת היכולת להיות בנוכחות עבור אנשים בזמן מצוקה.
בר
הקורס היה עבורי אחד הקורסים הפרקטיים והמשמעותיים ביותר השנה.
גאיה
זה גרם לי לחשוב מי אני רוצה להיות כאשת מקצוע בעתיד ואיך ללוות אחרים מתוך גישה אמפתית ומכילה.
רוני
מה שהפתיע אותי הוא עד כמה דבר קטן, מחווה, שיחה, או אפילו רק נוכחות יכול להיות עבור אדם אחר עולם ומלואו.
אור
עוטף לב׳ - סיוע נפשי ישראלי, מבית החמ״ל האזרחי הוא מערך שהוקם בעקבות אירועי ה-7 באוקטובר על מנת לסייע בתחומי בריאות הנפש לכלל תושבי ישראל.
אנחנו מתמחים בסיוע לכל תושבי הארץ, כולל סיוע במציאת מענים ספציפיים לאותם עשרות אלפי התושבים שנאלצו להתפנות מבתיהם ושוהים בריכוזי מפונים או במסגרות דיור אחרות (מפונים ומתפנים).