Youth Mental Health Support Group Offers Safe Haven in Netanya
A youth group called 'Amitim LeNoar' (Friends for Youth) in Netanya provides a safe and supportive environment for teenagers struggling with mental health challenges, social isolation, and emotional difficulties. The program, run by the Matnasim company, operates as a non-clinical social space where participants can connect with peers and trusted adults.
The group's facilitator, Inbal Yuval, who has personal experience with mental health struggles and family loss, emphasizes that the space is not therapeutic but rather offers a chance to practice social interaction in a safe setting. Participants, whose names have been changed for privacy, include teenagers dealing with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and social withdrawal, often referred by therapists, school counselors, or through word-of-mouth.
Yuval highlights the participants' heightened sensitivity as both a source of their struggles and their strength, fostering deep emotional connection within the group. The program aims to help these young people build trust with adult figures, a crucial element given their potential negative experiences with the adult world and systems.
'Amitim LeNoar' currently operates four centers serving about 120 teenagers, relying solely on philanthropic funding due to a lack of consistent government support. This limited reach underscores a significant gap in mental health services for adolescents in Israel, particularly for those who can live in the community but require specialized support beyond school or inpatient care.
Recent reports indicate a rise in depression and anxiety among Israeli youth, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent war. While adult mental health patients receive government funding for community rehabilitation, a similar funding stream for adolescents in similar programs is lacking, with ministries reportedly deferring responsibility. The Ministry of Education states it offers informal support, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services claims to provide holistic community programs, and the Ministry of Health notes its rehabilitation services are legally limited to those 18 and older.
