From the Liveblog of
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Mental health hotline: Calls from Holocaust survivors increased by 40% in 2023
Renee Ghert-Zand is the health reporter and a feature writer for The Times of Israel.
On the eve of Yom HaShoah, ERAN, the emotional first-aid organization, reports that it received 17,153 calls from Holocaust survivors and their family members in 2023, 40% more than in 2022.
According to ERAN, the major increase in requests for help from survivors was related to the events of October 7 and the ensuing war, which served as triggers for trauma and the loss of a sense of security. Many were also worried about family members serving in the IDF.
ERAN is running a special hotline on Yom Hashoah for Holocaust survivors and other senior citizens. The service is free and anonymous. Offered in Hebrew, English, and Russian, it can be accessed by dialing 1201 from any phone and choosing extension 4. The service can also be reached by dialing 1-800-24-1201.
The Times of Israel Community.