How moving is every piece of news about the release of hostages! You surely tried to imagine what they went through—whether they received food, had air, were alone, how they were treated (in every aspect), and how they coped with fear.

And suddenly, we see a picture of them, and to our delight, they appear smiling, clean, and well-groomed. So, was our worry in vain? 🤫 Absolutely not! This says nothing about their mental state, and it is important to know: the smiling pictures only reflect the momentary joy of escaping a threatening situation and returning home, meeting their loved ones, and receiving love from an entire nation.

So, how did they cope with existential fear and the harsh, prolonged reality? Probably, among other ways, with defense mechanisms that worked hard around the clock.

A “defense mechanism” is a term coined by Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, describing an unconscious mental process aimed at protecting oneself from anxiety, pain, or coping with difficult experiences that threaten mental stability. All humans use defense mechanisms in certain situations as they are necessary for adapting to reality, coping with challenging experiences, and allowing one to continue functioning with calm and balance without “touching” the mental pain.

There are several types of defense mechanisms, including “repression” (for example, when we don’t want to talk about something sad and “forget” it), “denial” (so unimaginable that unconsciously, we convince ourselves and believe it didn’t happen), “displacement” (for example, venting frustration and anger not on the one who made us feel that way but on others we feel safe with who won’t do anything to us if we get angry at them), and more.

Another mechanism mentioned by Freud, which later received the term Stockholm syndrome, is identifying with the aggressor, in relation to captivity, and extended to other abusive and traumatic victim situations. When a person is with the aggressor for a long time, they begin to know them better and even form an attachment to them. It is easier to cope with than feeling the anxiety and painful truth that this person is harming them. They can understand why they were hurt, protect the aggressor, and again unconsciously, prefer to identify with the aggressors and feel like them—strong, rather than being a weak victim.

Defense mechanisms help us protect ourselves from immediate distress, but over time they can cause severe functional and emotional damage as they require a lot of resources and energy and distort the perception of reality and thinking.

An interesting mechanism that actually leads to efficiency in a threatening situation is “sublimation”—using internal impulses associated with aggression and anger, for example, and releasing them in a more refined way. For instance, hostages who took it upon themselves to care for others in captivity, obtain things for them, negotiate with the captors, etc. Some of them reported that this was a coping method that helped them maintain their sanity.

So, it won’t be simple for those returning home. Treating and adjusting their defense mechanisms will take time. We believe they will still succeed in feeling more joy and less pain.

We wish everyone mental and physical wholeness and pray for the safe return home of every single one of them❤️

So, after a boost of good news about the freed hostages, we decided to start the week full of hope ❤️🇮🇱

The Central Region-Shfela staff of Bayit Cham’s “Shacharit” program met this week for refreshing learning and discussion about mental health illnesses/disorders and the recovery model. This isn’t about clinical recovery, but rather a process where individuals dealing with mental health challenges learn to live with and alongside the illness, leading meaningful, productive, and fulfilling lives as part of the community.

One of the components of the model is “Tikva – Hope” – the ability to envision and see the future with a sense of capability and the belief that success is possible and achievable step by step. After a mental health crisis where people “forget” their identity, desires, abilities, and can’t see their future, finding hope is not simple. In the vocational rehabilitation process, vocational coaches shine a “spotlight” on the person’s positive abilities and traits, helping each one start to shine and even weave dreams for the future and achieve them in reality.

So we hope that, just as in personal processes, on a national level too, we will experience healing and hope ❤️

Thanks to all our champion staff members who lead exciting journeys with our service recipients 🏆

Big thanks to Noa and Rikki 💪 who led the staff meeting together with Sarah, the regional director 🤟❤️

Have a great week full of hope‼️

Yishai Meller, a clinical psychologist, expert instructor, and director of Bayit Cham’s Elad branch clinic, joined us just 3 months ago and has already grasped the needs of the field, and is actively working to provide relevant solutions.

In the context of trauma in the therapy room, Bayit Cham therapists have undergone and continue to undergo training in this area. The most recent one addressed trauma treatment using CBT, and recently Yishai identified the need and began conducting a seminar emphasizing trauma in dynamic therapy.

About 20 therapists participate in the seminar, each presenting an article from the field, ranging from Freudian to recent publications. Together, they discuss, present case studies, and explore therapeutic approaches, bridging theory with practice.

The seminar aims to deepen understanding of trauma, specifically complex and chronic trauma (CPTSD), and identifying cumulative trauma influenced by a sequence of ongoing events. Dissociation, characteristic of trauma, is also addressed, describing the psychological disconnection following traumatic experiences.

As a clinical seminar, there is a focus on trauma treatment processes and integrating connections among various aspects of the psyche in therapy.

The seminar spans approximately 30 sessions, concluding the trauma topic before therapists move on to study additional subjects.

Yishai, tremendous thanks for joining the family—we’re delighted to have you with us! ❤️

Adoptive parents? Adopted teenagers? Do you have dilemmas, questions, or thoughts about opening an adoption file? You’re invited to a seminar day specifically about this! The seminar is produced by Israel’s Ministry of Welfare & Social Security and the Child Welfare Service in collaboration with the Bayit Cham’s “Lev LaMishpacha – Focus on Family” program. It will address relevant issues regarding opening an adoption file. There will be lectures, a panel, and more, and you’ll receive knowledge and space for your experience.

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 | 9:00-16:00 at the College of Management in Rishon LeZion.

Symbolic participation fee – 30₪  per participant. Advance registration required via the link: https://donation.asakimerp.com/Campaing/?CampaingID=51523

Secure your spot and register soon – the number of places is limited!

David Bublil is a 58-year-old blind Jerusalemite. He is married to Osnat, a father of three, grandfather of eight wonderful grandchildren, and works at Bayit Cham’s Technological Center in Jerusalem

David had vision problems from a young age that worsened over the years, and 14 years ago, he lost his sight completely.

From age 4, he studied at the Jewish Institute for the Blind, and in adulthood, he worked in various roles. He was a gardener, cook, driver, caregiver for the elderly, and more. Throughout his life, he was guided by a phrase from his dear brother: “What you can do, do!” and in general, David received many foundations for self-confidence from his family as a key to life: “There’s no such thing as ‘can’t’ – only ‘don’t want’!”

Wherever he worked, he demanded accessibility, accommodations, and, most importantly, care and respectful treatment. For him, visual impairment or blindness is not shameful, quite the opposite! A person with poor vision brings many personal skills to the job that are sometimes better than sighted people. His diligence, dynamism, assertiveness, and desire to provide for his family have indeed proven themselves in every job.

When he worked in a nursing home before he became completely blind, he was asked to continue despite his worsening vision. Yet, out of a great sense of responsibility for the well-being of the elderly (even though he had his own methods of bathing them), he decided it was no longer suitable. Since then, he worked in a rehabilitation factory in Jerusalem and sometimes took on occasional jobs when his vision allowed.

A few months ago, the factory closed. The feelings were difficult – it felt like the world was coming to an end. The workers were offered three optional places, and Bayit Cham was one of them. David checked into all three places and chose Bayit Cham for several reasons. The first and most important to him was the attitude. David says that Ze’ev and Sarah, the staff members, are so attentive to the needs, responsive to every person, caring, and work to create a good feeling about adaptations and foster a sense of togetherness. The “good morning” and the personal attention are worth everything. At first, when Ze’ev, the center’s social worker, received him, he went out of his way to make everything accessible to him, showing him where everything was located, letting him feel the types of screws, the work tools, all with great patience.

In addition, David’s role in dismantling electronic waste that arrives at the center for refurbishment is like a glove to the hand. This is what he loves to do and even does at home as a hobby😉

In honor of “Blind Day,” the awareness day for people with blindness and visual impairments, David has an important message for society as a whole and especially for employers: “What the blind person doesn’t see is only with the eyes. He has a brain and senses, and he can do everything, even better than a sighted person. All accommodations are paid for by the state, and he receives an employee who does quality work that is worth a lot of money. The sighted person needs to make the environment accessible to the non-sighted person, and the employer needs willingness to give him a chance and not reject him. He should voice his concerns because the blind prospective employee can provide solutions that the employer needs to hear.”

We endorse David’s message and recognize him as an amazing person. We are proud of the path he has taken in life and grateful for what he teaches us. ❤️💪 Well done, David!!🙏

Employers – partner with us to create inclusive workplaces! Contact us at 054-9800073