FAQ

The tragic events of October 7th caused profound trauma across all societal levels—individual, community, and national. Trauma deeply impacts daily life. It affects both mental and physical well-being, including cardiovascular issues and autoimmune disorders. It also escalates into societal problems like workforce productivity, domestic violence and substance abuse. Since the war started, over 60% of Israelis have experienced symptoms of PTSD, and one in five people report increased use of addictive substances. There is no playbook for how to accelerate healing after mass and collective trauma. The gap in knowledge and shortage of trained trauma specialists are prevalent in many countries but Israel has reached a state of urgency following Oct 7th. In addition, Israel’s trauma ecosystem is fragmented with hundreds of organizations working day and night on the ground – there is no natural owner to track and analyze the macro needs.

ICAR seeks to address the critical gaps and inefficiencies in Israel's mental health and trauma care systems, which were exacerbated by the national trauma of October 7. ICAR, Israel's Collective Action for Resilience, brings together leading experts in medicine, psychology, public health, philanthropy, and investment, who are committed to accelerating trauma healing to safeguard the health, productivity, and security of Israel. We are committed to fostering collaboration among the numerous organizations involved in the field to ensure that the nation’s efforts and resources are aligned with the macro needs of the population. ICAR is uniquely building a strategic roadmap for long-term trauma healing by focusing on scientific research, collaboration and transparency. By mapping the mental health ecosystem, fostering partnerships, and investing in evidence-based interventions, we will create an evidence-based holistic blueprint for trauma healing in Israel at the national level.

We envision a society that invests in resilience from birth, detects "invisible wounds" early through innovative diagnostics, and provides personalized and community care for those impacted by trauma. Our end game is to integrate mental health protocols into the national healthcare system, and then share the findings and protocols globally.

Our strategic approach consists of 4 main areas. Engage with the field and map the current landscape to clarify needs, resources, priorities, and gaps Identifying and prioritize impact areas and organizations to help bring funding where it is needed and monitor progress Generate and document evidence on interventions that have societal impact to influence policy change Establish national, community and treatment protocols for trauma healing, then integrating effective solutions into the national health system. And share the learnings to advance the science globally

Other organizations in this space are providing urgent and immediate services and solutions to Israel, which is critical to ensure collective healing. ICAR is taking a national, macro and longer-term perspective built on an interdisciplinary approach, a deep understanding of the Israeli landscape, and a commitment to innovation in trauma healing. We believe both are needed to accelerate healing.

Progress in trauma healing initiatives, collaborative efforts within the ecosystem, increased mental health awareness, and integration of ne interventions into the healthcare system will all represent success.

Trauma involves experiencing or witnessing events that pose a serious threat to oneself or others. It can manifest directly, through personal experience, or indirectly, via media exposure or as a first responder.

Unaddressed trauma can have widespread repercussions on individual well-being, societal health, and productivity. It impacts not just mental health but also physical health, increasing the risk of chronic diseases and impairing immune function. In children, trauma can disrupt development and learning, leading to long-term educational and social challenges. On a societal level, unresolved trauma can contribute to increased violence, substance abuse, and decreased workforce productivity. By addressing trauma effectively, we can foster healthier individuals and communities, enhancing overall resilience and well-being.

We cannot really prevent traumatic events from happening unfortunately, especially in the case of terrorism and natural disasters, but we can mitigate the consequences of traumatic events. We use a three-tiered approach to trauma prevention. 1) Primary prevention involves building resilience to prevent the onset of trauma-related disorders. 2) Secondary prevention focuses on early intervention after exposure to trauma to prevent the escalation into more severe conditions. 3) Tertiary prevention, or recovery support, aims to provide ongoing care to those diagnosed with trauma-related disorders to promote long-term health and resilience.

New tools and technologies, such as virtual reality for prolonged exposure therapy or AI for initial triage, can help unburden mental health professionals and provide scalable solutions to reach more people efficiently. These innovations can supplement traditional therapies and potentially offer new avenues for treatment and support.