American Friends of NATAL

The Mental Health Crisis in Israel: A System Under Immense Strain "The gap between the severity of cases, the numbers affected, and the limited mental health infrastructure has created immense pressure." – Efrat Shaprut, CEO of NATAL 17 months after October 7th, Israel’s mental health system is struggling to meet an overwhelming demand. Trauma has touched every corner of society—from civilians who survived massacres and kidnappings to soldiers who have been on the front lines for over a year. At NATAL, we’ve been on the ground since day one, providing essential trauma care: ?? 70,000+ calls answered on our Helpline ?? 4,000+ individuals treated in our Clinical Unit ?? Tens of thousands of resilience hours supporting first responders, reservists, and displaced communities Despite the immense need, mental health services remain underfunded. NGO-led initiatives like ours continue to carry the burden, yet long-term investment in trauma care, training, and public mental health infrastructure is urgently required. This is not a sprint—it’s a marathon. We will continue to stand with Israel’s civilians, soldiers, and first responders, ensuring that no one has to face trauma alone. #MentalHealth #TraumaCare #Resilience #Israel #NATAL https://lnkd.in/daPv_AVs

Read Maayan Aviv's latest article for Forbes Business Council.

"American Friends of NATAL is extending support to the professionals who dedicate their lives to helping others. Their well-being is just as important as the care they provide, and we are committed to fostering a community that uplifts and empowers them." Maayan Aviv, CEO of AFN, shares more in the announcement of our Mental Health Affinity Group here: https://lnkd.in/dQau5wk4

We recently hosted a workshop, "Transform Stress into Strength" through our Resilience Community run by Rotem Yanai, one of NATAL's leading resilience experts.? Our participants learned how to:? - Develop practical stress management techniques - Build emotional strength through proven methods - Connect with others committed to personal resilience Thank you to everyone who joined us. We look forward to hosting you again soon. https://lnkd.in/e7-TRUEf?

We are thrilled to announce that Maayan Aviv, CEO of American Friends of NATAL (AFN), has been invited to join the Forbes Business Council, an exclusive network of senior executives and thought leaders. This recognition highlights Maayan’s dedication to leadership in mental health advocacy, community partnerships, and strategic philanthropy, as well as her commitment to NATAL's critical work in Israel through an American lens. We are excited to share Maayan's contributions to global discussions on mental health and the power of creating industry affinity groups to support philanthropy. https://lnkd.in/exnJf4X7

We’re excited to share that we recently delivered a specialized workshop for the United Nations Office of Human Resources in NYC! ?? ? On February 6th, we had the privilege of hosting 20 UN HR professionals at the beautiful Bahai International Community offices for a 1.5-hour session on "The Resilient HR Manager: Tools for Thriving in Complex Times." The workshop was expertly facilitated by Rotem Yanai, an experienced NATAL facilitator. ? What makes this particularly meaningful is the unique challenges these HR professionals face daily. They support staff working in crisis zones, manage multicultural teams across time zones, and help field staff processing trauma—all while maintaining organizational stability in volatile situations. ? Through interactive exercises and peer discussions, participants gained hands-on experience with evidence-based resilience tools they can apply personally and share with their teams. ? Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Nenna Ndukwe-Hertz CPsychol CSci AFBPsS, the UN Workplace Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategic Lead, and Adva Vilchinski, from the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations, for making this impactful session possible. ? #UnitedNations #Leadership #MentalHealth #HumanResources #ProfessionalDevelopment #Resilience #SelfCare #Trauma Sharon Yeheskel-Oron ??? , Maayan Aviv ??? , Dana Sinay , American Friends of NATAL

We are honored to engage with thoughtful leaders and community members throughout the year. Most recently, NATAL's Chief Psychologist, Professor Rivka Tuval-Mashiach participated in a meaningful panel discussion at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, where key topics of reflection and actionable support were explored: - Navigating Challenges Since October 7: Understanding the evolving needs of individuals, families, and the broader community. - Personal Strength & Leadership: Identifying the practices and values that sustain us as leaders during challenging times. - Community Strengths: Highlighting resilience, meaningful connections, and acts of support that inspire collective progress. - Promoting Healing & Resilience: Exploring strategies to foster healing and rebuild a strong, connected community. - Tangible Tools & Actions: Sharing practical steps to promote hope and resilience for individuals and the community at large. We are inspired by the insights shared and remain committed to fostering dialogue and action that supports healing, growth, and meaningful community engagement.

Wishing all the best to our 2025 "Voices of Resilience" host, Chuck Todd. https://lnkd.in/eG2-BMFj

At American Friends of NATAL (AFN), we have lofty goals for 2025. At the heart of it, our mission is to support NATAL's mission of providing vital assistance to Israelis suffering from trauma, primarily due to terrorism and war. Oftentimes, we feel hopeless in the US - watching the news and stumped on how we can help. AFN provides US-based opportunities to build a strong community to drive resilience and hope. We have a robust Real Estate Industry Network, we're launching a Mental Health Affinity Group, our B'Nai Mitzvah Program is live, and our schedule is filled with impactful events and panels to attend and share the work NATAL is doing year-round. There are many ways to get involved - whether by directly donating at afnatal.org, joining one of our groups, or reaching out to our US team to get trauma training for your company, Police / Fire / EMT academy, or simply just to volunteer. We look forward to making impact together this year and beyond. Consider Donating here: https://bit.ly/4jJMAW0

We are excited to announce the launch of AFN’s new Mental Health Affinity Group, a professional and supportive community for mental health professionals. At NATAL, we are deeply committed to helping you—the helpers who tirelessly support others in times of trauma and crisis. Your mental health is just as important as the care you provide. This new program is designed to give you a dedicated space for connection, shared resources, and strategies to navigate the unique challenges of your essential work. Each session will focus on tools to build resilience, manage stress, and promote healing in the communities you serve. This group is open exclusively to mental health professionals. By joining, you’ll connect with peers who are equally dedicated to fostering resilience and well-being within their practices and communities. We know that for many, the connection to NATAL is both personal and professional and we invite you to share this information with anyone else who may benefit from participating. AFN Mental Health Affinity Group Meeting Dates: Held on the 2nd Monday of each month at 10:00am EST February 10, 2025 March 10, 2025 April 7, 2025 (adjusted for Passover) May 12, 2025 June 9, 2025 July 14, 2025 August 11, 2025 September 8, 2025 October 13, 2025 (adjusted for Sukkot) November 10, 2025 December 8, 2025 Suggested membership donation: $180 Group Facilitator: Ms. Vivian Reutlinger, MSW – NATAL Israel Vivian Reutlinger is a highly experienced social worker and psychotherapist specializing in trauma, bereavement, and couples therapy. With 18 years at NATAL, she has supported soldiers, families, and communities affected by conflict and emergencies. Vivian’s work emphasizes resilience, emotional healing, and holistic therapeutic approaches, drawing on her expertise in individual and group therapies. Reserve your spot by registering today. https://lnkd.in/eRkfPDmQ