Peace of Mind for IDF Veterans @ Fire Island 2019

This summer the Fire Island community will come together to host a unit of IDF combat veterans within the Peace of Mind (POM) program. Every year, thousands of released Israeli combat soldiers face the difficult transition back into civilian life. Many spend months overseas as a means to discharge and mitigate the psychological pain they faced during their military service. Despite the well-known image of the resilient Israeli soldier, the long-term effects of veterans’ combat experiences are well documented. Released soldiers can suffer from a myriad of psychological difficulties ranging from sleep disorders, substance abuse, difficulties in relationships, aggressiveness, depression and regret. Peace of Mind is an intervention program that, as one soldier put it, “changes lives. I gained perspective on how to cope with the rest of my life.” Nearly two-thirds of participants have shown significant post-traumatic growth following their participation in the program. Other measures show significant increase in social support, functioning in everyday life, emotional regulation, decrease in depressive symptoms, better communication with their families and more. The program works with IDF veterans from high-risk combat units, within which there is a profound depth of trust. Throughout the nine-month intervention, team members receive approximately 65 hours of group counselling, with those who need it receiving additional one on one follow up therapy. Participants typically do not show pathological symptoms of post-traumatic stress, yet are sorely in need of a program that gives voice to the trauma they experienced, allowing them to start living their lives again. The core of the program is being hosted by a Jewish community overseas, such as in our community, during the most intensive therapeutic work. This is a crucial element of the program because their disengagement from Israel during the therapeutic process is central to their healing. About 73% of participants have reported that they have greater ability to process their emotions when they are abroad, but an equally important element is receiving acceptance and warmth from a Diaspora Jewish community, which gives soldiers a sense of love, support and purpose in defending the State of Israel. Join us this summer, and please support our community efforts so that we can host a group of about 16 IDF combat veterans and provide them with the support and love that they need and deserve.