At the Hadassah-supported Meir Shfeyah Youth Aliyah Village in Israel, caring for students’ mental health is a top priority.
“Some of the issues are like regular adolescent stuff, which is already complicated, and some of them are more complex because of their life events,” said David Shafir, psychosocial department director.
Many of the children come to the village from difficult circumstances and struggle internally, Shafir said. “Let’s talk about the children that came from Ukraine. Right? Or maybe even from Russia. Because there, their homes are very affected by the war. Some of them don’t have the regular home to come back to.”
“Even the children that come from more stable families, these are not privileged children,” he said. ”Fortunately,” he added, “the children here have a lot of options for growth.”
“It’s like they have this big meal and they have to just pick what they want to eat. And what we sometimes need to work on is their appetite,” said Shafir, whose department works closely with the teachers and staff at the village to meet each youth’s individual needs.
There’s art therapy and even a new therapeutic center that was recently renovated and dedicated to Ellen Hershkin, past Hadassah national president.
For one student, Nikole, it’s the village’s horse therapy program that has helped her thrive. “Immediately, I loved this school,” said Nikole, who came to Meir Shfeyah after struggling with frequent teasing by classmates. “I was in shock. Nobody bullied me.”
“I want to thank the women of Hadassah for being here for us all these years,” Shafir said. “I, as someone who represents Shfeyah, and also as head of the psychosocial department, I can see and I can feel your support.”
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