Sheba and FIDF Mission to Heal Israel’s Veterans and Their Families
The Invisible Scars of War
“Imagine a soldier, a reservist, that has seen friends who were injured badly or even passed, that they’ve seen the horror of the war to the level that we can’t even imagine,” says Prof. Amitai Ziv, Director of Sheba’s Rehabilitation Hospital. “They’re going back to their families, to their wives and kids, and they are suffering from this ability to even fall asleep, waking up with amazing nightmares, shouting and screaming at night, not being able to go back to work. They’re struggling for sanity.”
These invisible wounds run deep, impacting not only the veterans but also their loved ones. Families, who witness their partners, parents, or children struggling to reclaim their lives, often feel helpless in the face of such pain.
A Lifeline for Veterans and Families
This is where Sheba Medical Center and FIDF step in. Through the ‘Returning to Life’s National Center for Victims of Mental Trauma, over 1,290 veterans have already received specialized mental health care. This partnership combines Sheba’s renowned expertise with FIDF’s steadfast support, creating a holistic program that meets veterans wherever they are—emotionally and geographically.
To expand their reach and tackle the emotional toll of war, Sheba and FIDF are growing mental health services nationwide,with centers located in Batei Halochem to establish a network of healing tailored to each veteran’s unique journey. From Nahariya and Haifa to Be’er Sheva and Jerusalem, mental health clinics provide evidence-based therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), art therapy, and prolonged exposure therapy.
As Prof. Ziv explains:
“Not only that they come to us, we come to them. With your help, FIDF, we are putting together a very proactive approach, and we are offering psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, all of them, a protocol customized to their needs.”
Transforming Pain into Recovery
From cutting-edge therapies to compassionate care, “Returning to Life” is more than a program—it’s a promise. Whether through AI-driven virtual therapy, smart home platforms, or traditional counseling, every veteran’s journey is treated as unique.
Through this visionary partnership, Sheba and FIDF are offering not only treatment but also a path toward hope, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose for Israel’s defenders.
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