Nova survivor takes her own life on her 22nd birthday; family claims state didn’t help with her PTSD

A 22-year-old woman who survived the Hamas massacre at the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im on October 7, 2023, has taken her own life in her apartment, after suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The family of Shirel Golan, who turned 22 today, says she suffered from post-traumatic symptoms since escaping the terror onslaught, including disassociation and withdrawal, and that she was hospitalized twice.

Her brother Eyal was quoted by Hebrew media as saying, “I saw that she had symptoms of post-traumatic stress, such as withdrawing and distancing herself from her friends. I asked her to take care of herself. She said that she doesn’t get any help from the state. She said that she only gets aid from the [Tribe of Nova Community Association].”

“If the state had taken care of her, none of this would have happened,” he says.

Israel Hayom and Ynet news both publish a denial from the Welfare and Social Services Ministry of the family’s claims, saying Golan was “recognized and treated in the welfare system even before October 7 and especially after.”

Just heartbreaking beyond words ????

Shirel Golan survived the Nova Party massacre on Oct 7th.

Today, she ended her life today in her apartment, on her 22nd birthday.

Word fail. Only tears and heartache.

May her beautiful memory and life always be a blessing! pic.twitter.com/8ptSOzebJ9

— Arsen Ostrovsky ????️ (@Ostrov_A) October 20, 2024