In the wake of the attack on Israel by Hamas militants, our hearts go out to those impacted, including the individuals and communities who lost loved ones and the global community that is grappling with the violence’s committed on Saturday and the recent declaration of the Israel-Hamas War.
At MHC, we strive to create environments that support long-term health and wellness. For many, in Israel and across the world, our environments have been impacted, whether our physical spaces have been attacked or the conditions that allow us as an individual to thrive have changed. When hateful acts are committed, they often lead to more hate and cause trauma.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in situations of armed conflict, “Around 10 percent of the people who experience traumatic events will have serious mental health problems, and another 10 percent will develop behavior that will hinder their ability to function effectively.” Included in this group are not only soldiers but also civilians and those exposed to the images, videos, and audio recordings of the war through the media.
The co-occurrence of the declaration of the Israel-Hamas war and today’s World Mental Health Day, which emphasizes that mental health is a human right through its theme of “Our Minds, Our Rights,” serves as a reminder that the work at MHC, along with our community and supporters, is not only essential but ongoing.
These world events have an impact on all of us. If you are feeling any distress, please know that you are not alone and that there are resources available, some of which can be found here. We invite everyone to take action by checking in with a friend, neighbor, coworker, or loved one.
