Basketball Program Aids IDF Veterans with PTSD
The "Winning Pass" (Mesira Menatze'achat) association uses basketball to provide social and athletic frameworks for IDF veterans and reservists dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Founded two years ago by Afik Nissim, the organization aims to help those injured and diagnosed with PTSD through sports, offering individual training and basketball games.
Nissim explained that the initiative began after individuals suffering from PTSD approached him seeking help through sports. He noted that the competitive nature of the players, who desire success, leads to smiles and hugs after training sessions. "The moment they enter the court, they experience a certain detachment. From a dark state, they move to another state," he said.
Oren Ben Sidon, a reservist who experienced an ambush during Operation "Northern Shield" in 2024, shared his struggle with understanding his condition long after the event. He described the difficulties in managing work, family, and personal life. Ben Sidon found that basketball helps him release tension and anger, channeling aggression into the game and rediscovering a sense of belonging. "I wait to play basketball every week. It's therapeutic basketball. It really treats me," he stated, adding that the camaraderie and shared experiences make him feel part of something larger than himself.
Professor Shauli Lev-Ran, a psychiatrist and founder of the ICA, emphasized the importance of physical activity for trauma recovery, citing the adage "a healthy mind in a healthy body." He highlighted that exercise, nutrition, and sleep help the brain rest and recharge, restoring emotional regulation, which is crucial after traumatic events.
Beyond physical activity, basketball provides participants with a sense of purpose, belonging, and structure. One participant described feeling lost after completing reserve duty, unsure of his role. He found that on the court, each player has a defined role, defense, offense, scoring, passing, giving him a sense of purpose and place in the world, akin to a safer version of military service.
