NATAL- Following Operation “Rising Lion”

"We are going through complex and difficult days. The stress and tension, alongside the anticipation and alertness for continued attacks, are causing immense anxiety among many citizens. It’s important to know that help is available and not to go through this alone. We reinforced our Helplines from the very first moments of the attack, and we are here to assist anyone who needs support." Efrat Shaprut, NATAL CEO NATAL is an apolitical non-profit organization that offers psychological and emotional treatment and support to victims of trauma due to war and terror. Since its establishment in 1998, NATAL has provided psychological assistance to individuals in Israel from all sectors of society, irrespective of age, gender and ethnicity. NATAL has had an impact on the lives of over 550,000 people to date through its Helpline, Community Resilience Unit, Clinical Unit, Trauma Studies Centre, and Testimonial Centre. "Rolling Trauma"-Trauma Upon Trauma Since its founding, NATAL has understood that the impact of war and terror is deeply embedded in the fabric of Israeli life. In recent days, following the inception of Operation "Rising Lion", all Israelis have been confronted with events that represent one of the most difficult periods our country has ever endured, what many Israelis feel as a new war inside the preexisting one. For Israeli society, this latest escalation represents yet another layer of trauma upon an already wounded nation. As a nation fighting on two fronts, Israel cannot afford to neglect the silent battlefield of our mental health. Since October 7th, Israelis have endured unimaginable emotional hardships and for many, the latest experiences compound previous traumas. The current crisis is not a one-time event but what NATAL's Chief Psychologist Dr. Boaz Shalgi calls "rolling trauma", where calm periods are interrupted by sudden returns of traumatic experiences. Current circumstances reflect a form of rolling trauma, where people repeatedly face destabilizing, traumatic events- an unfolding reality that NATAL meets with professionalism and experience of nearly three decades. As we face uncertain times, the traumas of October 7th, ongoing security threats, and now this latest escalation, Israel will need NATAL's assistance for weeks, months and years to come. NATAL is in urgent need of support to provide emergency treatment and services to those in trauma from Operation "Rising Lion". NATAL's response to this crisis has been comprehensive: From the moment the Home Front Command alert was sent to the entire country on Thursday night, NATAL has been offering support to the Israeli public to cope with these extreme events. Emergency initiatives include: Webinars in Hebrew, Arabic, and English for the public and organizations Expanded clinical services Clinical teams to meet evacuees from central Israel at their temporary accommodations in hotels, offering on-site emotional support. A professional consultation line for therapists dealing with emergency cases All training programs continued online while maintaining continuity Professional training sessions for our therapists and volunteers, led by our Chief Psychologist Dr. Boaz Shalgi An increase in our media presence to provide calming tools and direct people to our services. The Helpline Nowhere is the strain on Israeli society clearer than on NATAL’s trauma Helpline. Since the inception of the operation against Iran, the Helpline has seen a dramatic spike in calls and messages on our newly launched chat line. The overwhelming majority of calls are related to anxiety and real fear due to this unprecedented situation. Most of the calls are being received at night when the majority of the ballistic missile attacks occur. In immediate response to the initial attack, we swiftly activated our emergency protocol, expanding our team of staff and volunteers in order to operate NATAL’s Helpline at expanded capacity. This critical national support line, providing first-aid emotional assistance, was widely publicized through multiple media platforms. Our committed volunteers are on hand 24/7 to respond to callers and offer support. Helpline callers have included: • Numerous calls from areas that suffered direct impacts, including concern for loved ones, anxiety from eyewitnesses, and more • Parents seeking guidance on helping their children process and navigate the ongoing crisis • Those concerned about missing family members • Those experiencing anxiety due to unsafe homes lack of access to safe spaces • Those experiencing worry about family members serving in combat • Those dealing with past trauma who are re-triggered by the current situation Clinical Services Those who have experienced severe trauma and who have developed post-trauma and PTSD need treatment at NATAL's Clinical Unit. Since October 7th, there has been a sharp increase in mental health needs in Israel, and which will continue to grow exponentially following Operation Rising Lion. With 27 years of expertise in treating post-trauma and PTSD, NATAL’s professionals know that the sooner trauma is treated, the more positive the outcome. Following events of the last days, the Clinical Unit is conducting specialized trauma protocols and providing urgent mental health assistance as well as reinforcing psychiatric care for many clients currently in need of medication. The Unit has introduced a dedicated phone line staffed by our professional directors to offer guidance and to consult on emergency cases for NATAL's hundreds of clinical therapists. Mobile therapy: NATAL dispatched dozens of therapists to hotels hosting evacuees displaced by deadly and destructive missile attacks. These professionals are providing emergency psychological support onsite. Community Initiatives: NATAL is conducting community webinars in Hebrew, English and Arabic to alleviate anxiety and foster resilience in the general public. In addition, we are distributing emergency coping tools through our website and various media channels. These emergency interventions are conducted for first responders, military NGOs, the general public, and even to audiences outside Israel. NATAL's Community Resiliency Unit has also been conducting webinars specifically tailored to organizations and companies that reached out for assistance such as leadership webinars for CEOs and senior managers on emergency management. It has also provided specialized sessions for HR professionals on managing anxiety in the workplace. The Community Resiliency Unit is working closely with local authorities and municipalities to provide expert instruction and training to their mental health professionals. NATAL's Multidisciplinary Trauma Studies Center has transitioned all trainings and courses to remote instruction, and most courses are continuing on schedule. The Career Development Unit continues to support participants remotely and is also providing emergency assistance as needed. While some participants have paused their program participation due to reserve duty, many others have increased their engagement. These include: • WeRise: An employment support group for survivors of the Nova music festival and young adults from the South. • University students in the program are receiving ongoing academic and emotional support. NATAL trauma professionals, clinicians, and trained volunteers stand on the front lines of emotional first-aid, helping to prevent acute distress from becoming long-term psychological damage. The psychological impact of current events extends far beyond when the sirens stop. In the days and weeks ahead, we anticipate growing needs across every sector of Israeli society. Your support will help to ensure that no one will face these challenges alone, and that NATAL can maintain the specialized services that help Israelis not just survive but heal and thrive. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions or require more information. Thank you in advance for your kind consideration of our request.